Changing Geographies of Intimacy: A Study on FemaleTinder Users in İstanbul

Abstract

This study discusses the changing geographies of intimacy by focusing on the experiences of femaleTinder users in Istanbul. Within the scope of the study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 28women in Istanbul. Based on these interviews, the flows of how women use Tinder have been createdand the locations in which the app is used have been identified. The study revealed that women usethis mobile application secretly and they do not actively use it in the neighborhoods where they liveand work. The way women look for relationships varies considerably and they choose among varyingtypes of relationships. Tinder allows women to rapidly expand their pool of potential partners andeliminate other intermediaries and their social supervision in building relationships. These factsindicate that the geographies of intimacy and the gender relationships within these geographies havestarted to change for some women.

Keywords

• Geographies of intimacy,matchmaking apps,emale Tinder users,İstanbul

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