Online couples get along better, argue less often and want to stay together longer

When it comes to basic values such as family, children and marriage, online couples are much more in agreement than those who met offline. There is also greater agreement on issues relating to everyday life. In addition, online couples argue less often and want to stay together longer. These are the findings of a comparative study conducted by the online dating agency Parship.ch among couples who met online and couples who met offline - i.e. outside the Internet.

Anyone who wants a partner with the same basic values when it comes to children, family and marriage is more likely to be happier with a partner found online. As a comparative study by the online dating agency Parship.ch shows, online couples are more similar than offline couples when it comes to the desire to have children (85% versus 74%). The same applies to the importance of family (90 percent vs. 77 percent), marriage (79 percent vs. 75 percent) and sexuality (85 percent vs. 62 percent). 

"Anyone who registers with a reputable online dating agency usually has a lot of relationship experience. You know your own behavior in relationships and are well informed about what you want and what you don't want. Especially when it comes to "non-negotiable" basic values, such as the desire to have children and sexuality, it's a great advantage if you agree," says Parship psychologist Barbara Beckenbauer.

Furthermore, online couples are also more similar in terms of everyday life issues than couples who did not meet online. In this area, the biggest differences are in travel behavior (87% vs. 73%) and the importance of work (85% vs. 71%). There is also greater agreement among online than offline couples in terms of sustainable lifestyle (83% vs. 69%), money management (80% vs. 57%), tidiness and cleanliness (73% vs. 59%) and general political orientation (74% vs. 60%).
 

If problems arise, online couples support each other more than offline couples with advice and support (73% vs. 49%). This also applies to listening to each other (63% vs. 41%) and feeling understood by their partner (59% vs. 41%). 

If an argument does occur, it happens less frequently among online couples. For example, 24% argue at least occasionally, compared to 47% of offline couples. As many as 40 percent of online couples say they almost never argue. This figure is 20 percent for offline couples.

Among online couples, 81% expect a long-term future together. This figure is 58% for offline couples. There are also differences in the desired duration of the relationship: 86% of online couples would like their relationship to last a very long time, compared to 67% of offline couples. 

"Offline couples are more likely to "stumble" into a relationship and let themselves be guided by external attraction and sympathy. However, how exactly you harmonize with each other in everyday life in addition to the initial attraction is left to chance. Online, these external characteristics take a back seat for the time being. Potential partners are suggested according to matching algorithms that ensure that you harmonize with each other in various personality traits and everyday situations. One of these matching criteria is, for example, communication style. In concrete terms, this means that someone who likes to talk things through is not suggested to someone who tends to keep things to themselves and is cautious about criticizing. We know from other studies that this can lead to a reduction in arguments and that couples cooperate better with each other in stressful situations," explains Parship psychologist Beckenbauer.