#Sugardating

A new psychological study is challenging longstanding stereotypes about sugar dating, revealing that these relationships often go far beyond mere financial transactions and frequently include authentic emotional intimacy, reciprocal influence, and complex motivations for both partners (gilmorehealth.com). Published in 2024 in The Journal of Sex Research, the work offers rare insights into a world that’s growing more visible in Thailand and around the globe due to the expansion of social media and dating platforms.

A 2024 study in The Journal of Sex Research challenges the stereotype that sugar dating is only about money. Researchers found that many of these relationships include genuine emotional closeness, negotiated power, and varied motivations for both partners. The findings come as sugar dating becomes more visible in Thailand and worldwide thanks to social media and dating apps.

For Thai readers, the study matters because it intersects with evolving ideas about romance, materialism, and personal autonomy. In Bangkok and other urban areas, conversations about dating are shifting as younger people navigate economic pressures and changing social norms. Traditional media often portrays sugar dating as exploitative, but the research from a clinical psychology team at a major U.S. university presents a more nuanced picture—one that mirrors how modern relationships adapt to financial realities and personal preferences.