Art requires swipe: creatives have overtaken "safe" specialists in love
A new study of the dating industry has revealed an unexpected trend in the perception of professions among Russians: creative fields turned out to be more preferable than traditional "stable" specialties. Designers, media and art workers have taken leading positions in the attractiveness rating, displacing doctors and IT specialists. The survey also revealed that profession can be a crucial criterion when choosing a partner. However, according to experts, such an approach to finding a soulmate can lead to mistaken perceptions and ultimately deep disappointment. Izvestia tells us what the profession can say when getting to know each other and what else is important to pay attention to in order to find the right partner.
Who's being asked out on a date
The Twinby dating app and the Grid social networking network conducted a study to understand which stereotypes about professions influence the choice of a partner in Russia. 1,600 people from various fields of activity took part in the survey.
As the results showed, most of the respondents assess not only the income level of a potential partner, but also the nature of his work. At the top of the rating were representatives of creative professions: designers, marketers, media, advertising and art workers — they were chosen by 25.6% of respondents. For many, these professions are associated with freedom, charisma and an unconventional outlook on life.
It is noteworthy that back in July, Russians' preferences tended towards suitors from the medical field, but now the situation has changed. Doctors, teachers and scientists took only the second place with a score of 25.4%. These professions are perceived as symbols of caring, intelligence, and empathy.
Lawyers, who for many are associated with stability and protection, rounded out the top three — they were chosen by 13.3% of respondents. IT specialists (9.4%), who are perceived as reliable and promising, and entrepreneurs (8.7%), who are symbols of ambition and leadership, were also among the most in demand.
The "red flags" included professions involving risk or illegal activities (79.5%), jobs with unstable incomes (71%) and overly public areas such as show business and blogging (46.5%).
How creatives overtook the classics
Experts explain the modern shift in the preferences of Russians by changing social attitudes. According to Andrey Zakrevsky, a practicing psychologist and author of the Telegram channel "Psychologist for the Busy," about 20 years ago, "reliable professions" were leading in many countries: lawyers, doctors, engineers. However, today people have an increased need for freedom from routine, which has triggered a wave of changes in dating.
— We are looking not only for support, but also for a person who will be interesting to be with. This is the very shift that modern research on the concept of the "creative class" is talking about: People have a growing demand for freedom and self—expression, and they project this onto partnership," the psychologist said.
The growing attractiveness of creative professions is also linked to economic factors, said Larisa Mikallef, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, cognitive scientist.
— In recent years, the creative industries have been actively developing, the number of vacancies in this area has increased by 3-3.5 times, and, accordingly, salaries are also growing here. This makes creative professions attractive not only in terms of creativity, but also financial stability," the expert explained.
In addition, representatives of creative professions symbolize freedom of expression, which resonates with modern values and aspirations of dating users. While "stable" professions may seem boring, creative ones, on the contrary, are perceived as lively and intriguing, which increases their popularity, Larisa Mikallef added.
Another factor in the increased demand for creatives is the psychological restructuring of the consciousness of the modern generation. According to Anton Shestakov, a psychiatrist and forensic expert at the Center for Preliminary Research and Forensic Examinations, in an era of economic instability, traditional ideas about "reliable" professions are crumbling. Civil servants and engineers no longer guarantee stability, while creative professions are perceived as adaptive to modern realities.
— This is a manifestation of the psychological phenomenon of "novelty preference" — the brain is looking for new survival strategies when the old ones stop working. In addition, creative people are associated with emotional wealth, which is especially attractive in an era of burnout and depression," the doctor added.
What the profession says
In the dating world, profession is an important social marker and affects the level of trust between users. According to the study, 69% of respondents believe that specifying a job increases trust in a partner. Women are more likely to perceive this information as an indicator of reliability, 72.4% of respondents said, while men tend to see the profession as a convenient reason to talk — 51%.
At the same time, the younger generation between the ages of 18 and 24 in 38.7% of cases treats the profession calmly, not attaching much importance to it. At the same time, older respondents, especially over the age of 30, perceive it as an important indicator of the seriousness of intentions — 65.5% of them believe so.
Igor Kuznetsov, CEO of VK Dating service, confirmed that millennials most often pay attention to the profession.
— This generation grew up with an understanding of the value of education and career, now they are at the peak of professional growth and financial stabilization. For them, a partner's profession is not just a line in a questionnaire, but an indicator of stability, ambition, and alignment of life goals. Many people are not looking for easy flirting, but for a serious relationship with the prospect of starting a family and living together, and in this context, the profession becomes an important filter," the expert explained to Izvestia.
According to Larisa Karavaitseva, chief psychologist at Twinby dating service, these differences are explained by the fact that as people get older, they begin to rely more on personal observations rather than theory.
— Stereotypes work as cognitive circuits that help you make decisions faster and create the illusion of control. If there is a similar behavior of representatives of the same profession several times, the brain fixes it as a pattern. Therefore, instead of flexibility, there is a habit of trusting shortcuts. Young people are more likely to question stereotypes, being at the stage of searching for identity and re—evaluating norms," the expert shared.
Cognitive scientist Larisa Micallef notes that a profession reflects a person's character and lifestyle, so this criterion is one of the most important when getting to know each other.
— Work often takes up a significant part of your time and affects your personality traits, interests, and values. In addition, a profession is a marker of a person's social position in society, it affects prestige and a sense of comfort in a relationship. The work sphere often determines the social circle and the opportunities for spending time together, which increases the chances of a harmonious relationship," the speaker said.
What is the threat of professional mind games
According to psychiatrist Anton Shestakov, choosing a profession activates several pathological mechanisms. The first is idealization. A person falls in love not with a real partner, but with an image created by him. When reality doesn't match fantasy, frustration and conflict ensue.
The second mechanism is social desirability. Many choose "prestigious" professions not based on personal preferences, but in order to look successful in the eyes of others. This is a form of narcissistic disorder — using a partner to boost your own self-esteem.
The third is magical thinking. People believe that becoming a partner will automatically change their lives for the better. If you marry a doctor, you'll be healthy, if you marry a lawyer, you'll be protected, and if you marry a creative person, you'll be happy.
That is why relying solely on the profession when getting to know each other is a risky strategy that can lead to disappointment and erroneous judgments.
What is important when choosing a partner
Choosing a partner is always a complex and multifaceted process, which includes much more than just a profession or status. Experts point out that successful relationships are based on shared values, emotional understanding, and a willingness to invest in a life together.
— When getting to know each other, it is important to evaluate the basic mental functions of a partner: how well a person knows how to manage their feelings, is able to adapt to changes and learn new things. Does he have the capacity for empathy and is he ready to build close relationships? It is also important for creating a family how a person reacts to obstacles and failures, whether he has a tendency to addiction, aggression and impulsivity," explained psychiatrist Anton Shestakov.
Lerona Narinskaya, a quantum psychologist and rector of the Academy of Quantum Psychology, recommended evaluating the presence or absence of the following personality traits:
— the coincidence of values. The profession provides only an external outline, but the main thing is how a person sees life, family, and relationships.;
— emotional compatibility. It is important whether a person feels support and respect, and not just admiration for the "image";
— willingness to engage in dialogue. In a relationship, everything is decided by the ability to negotiate, not a diploma or a position.;
— flexibility. Life is changing, a profession can disappear or transform, but the ability to be close and supportive is the foundation.
It is important not to jump to conclusions and allow the relationship to develop, paying attention primarily to internal similarities and emotional support, the experts concluded.
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