Daters from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities reveal the influence of family on dating preferences and decisions

A consumer behavior analysis conducted by India’s leading dating app, QuackQuack, across 12,000 daters from Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities highlights the influence of family on people’s dating preferences and choices. 4 out of 5 people agreed that family values and expectations have a huge impact on the modern dating world. QuackQuack’s Founder and CEO Ravi Mittal said, “From what we see regularly, it is safe to say that modern relationships evolve within the framework of traditional and familial values, and studying that is essential to create a more appropriate and culturally sensitive platform for young Indians.”

The study participants ranged between 18 and 40 and came from various professions, majorly IT, healthcare, marketing, finance, content creators, teaching, and students. The key findings of the study show parental approval is still a priority for 39% of daters ready for marriage.

Parental approval comes first
For more than 39% of daters from Tier 2 and 3 cities, parent approval plays a crucial role in their dating choices. From the match they choose to the commitment they make, everything is considering their parent’s opinion. Puja, a resident of Nagpur, said, “I have let go of some great matches merely because I knew my parents wouldn’t approve. It can be frustrating, but after all, they are parents, and it’s a very small price to make them happy.”

Influencing match selection
The results show that family values heavily influence the criteria for choosing a match. 2 out of 5 men and 4 out of 5 women between 22 and 30 admitted that their family’s preferences regarding financial status, education, profession, values, and more, considerably shape their dating preference. Ajay, 29 years old, commented, “I am looking for a partner to settle with, and though I have the final say, my family’s outlook controls a major part of my decision. For instance, if they want someone from a similar cultural background, I would respect their wishes and match accordingly.”

Influence of Parental Relationships.
25% of daters from Tier 1 and 2 cities cited the influence of parental relationships on their own relationships. They mentioned how daters often unconsciously choose a partner that mirrors their parents, and they also disclosed having either a strong desire to mimic their relationship dynamics or contrast it. The analysis also shows that 4 in 6 people consciously seek out matches that show similar qualities exhibited by their parents.

Extended Families
21% of women above 30 revealed that not only parents but the opinions of extended families can also carry weight for some daters, especially in a close-knit family. A 34-year-old doctor from Kolkata, Niharika, explained, “The burden of considering the opinions of the extended family falls mostly on the people who are in the society-declared marriage age. There is also a touch of parental pressure and societal expectation to take these opinions into consideration whether you want to or not.”

Rebellion against family rules
A very small section, around 9%, explained their choices being influenced by their decision to deliberately find a partner and hence a match who differs vastly from their parent’s expectations. In most cases among the daters above 28, it stemmed from unrealistic expectations and pressures from the parent’s end. For daters below 25, it is often an act of rebellion to forge their own path in relationships. Rohan, 21, said, “Maybe it’s a GenZ thing, but we want to make decisions about our dating life independent of our family values or parent’s opinions; that does not mean we do not have respect for them. Both are separate.