Feb 24
Ragtag Cinema Columbia, MO
TicketsDr. Kale Monk
Associate Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Missouri
You've Got Mail— Swipe Me Off My Feet: Dating in the Digital Age
Program Description
In the past, online dating was viewed negatively, with people assuming those who sought love online were unable to attract partners in-person or were only motivated to engage in short-term “flings.” Online dating is now the most common way of forming romantic relationships, with 45% of single adults using a dating platform in the last year. Consequently, exploring potential partners online has significantly less stigma than in the past, and most online daters use these platforms to expand their options for finding long-term commitment.
Drawing on two decades of relationship science research, Dr. Kale Monk will describe the statistics behind online dating, what people look for in prospective partners online, as well as the advantages and disadvantages that come with dating in the digital age. Before viewing the classic romantic comedy, You’ve Got Mail, Dr. Monk’s presentation will conclude with a brief discussion of the outcomes research comparing online and in-person dating.
Film Synopsis
A book superstore magnate and an independent book shop owner fall in love in the anonymity of the Internet.
Struggling boutique bookseller Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) hates Joe Fox (Tom Hanks), the owner of the corporate Foxbooks chain store that just moved in across the street. When they meet online, however, they begin an intense and anonymous Internet romance, oblivious of each other's true identity. Eventually Joe learns that the enchanting woman he's involved with is actually his business rival. He must now struggle to reconcile his real-life dislike for her with the cyber love he's come to feel.
Photo credit: Warner Bros.
About the Speaker
Dr. Kale Monk is an Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Missouri. Dr. Monk also serves as a State Couple and Family Well-being Specialist for MU Extension. In addition to completing a master's degree in Couple and Family Therapy at Kansas State University, Dr. Monk earned his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois where he specialized in relationship science. Dr. Monk's research centers on romantic relationships and well-being - primarily focusing on how couples maintain their relationships. With over 70 publications ranging from scientific journal articles to books and book chapters, his research has been featured in prominent outlets like USA Today, TIME Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, and Psychology Today. In addition to speaking about his research in many different countries, Dr. Monk has been invited on several occasions to consult with policy makers in Washington D.C. who work on relationship-related policies, such as the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women’s Act.