Andreasson Oskar 2024 Most men are not of value to you - Female Dating Strategy - A case of existential resistance against modern intimacy

Aug 28, 2026

This thesis uses ethnographic tools in a qualitative case study to examine the Female Dating Strategy (FDS) internet community and how narratives about a “crisis of masculinity” are conceptualised in politics and mainstream media. Research concentrates on intimacy and sexuality, asking how female romantic anguish is framed and challenging the notion that women are the “winners” of modern romance. Analysis covers forum posts, website opinion pieces, the FDS Handbook, and the podcast’s expressions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages77

Reading Time3 h 14 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Research aims & questions

Literature review

A female research strategy

Existing O

Most men are not of value to you Female Dating Strategy –A case ofexistential resistance against modern intimacy. MSc in Media and Communications Studies Author: Oskar Andreasson Supervisor: Emil Stjernholm Examiner: Deniz Duru May 2024 Abstract This thesis deploys ethnographic tools in a qualitative case study to explore the internet community, Female Dating Strategy (FDS) . As narratives surrounding the “crisis of masculinity” are popularised within politics and mainstream media, the objective of research becomes to scrutinise these conceptualisations. This thesis does so by focusing on the field of intimacy and sexuality, by raising the question of female romantic anguish. Thereby questioning the widespread idea that women are the “winners” of modern romance. Female Dating Strategy is seen as a modern response to the many uncertainties and issues women face in contemporary intimacy. The study equips itself with theories on the individualisation and commodification of sexuality and heteropessimism. It relates these theories to the perspective of existential media, which highlights the media's existential capabilities and shortcomings within the deeply existential field of modern intimacy. The study analysed posts on Female Dating Strategy’s forum, opinion pieces from Female Dating Strategy’s website, the Female Dating Strategy Handbook, and the expressions within The Female Dating Strategy Podcast. The analysis results highlighted an orientation towards viewing romance and relationships as transactional and a part of the community member’s self-actualisation. As intimacy had become an important part of the member’s sense of self the members encouraged each other to act more autonomously. Urging each other to “ruthlessly evaluate men” and often act through negative choices. The feminist and conservative values within the community were recognised as useful ways of maximising achievement, rather than proposing any political projects. This all played out against a backdrop of deep technologisation and mediatisation. Female Dating Strategy created a sense of existential security for its members, however, it also created burdens, such as getting them stuck in a dependency on the strategies and advice on the forum. Media was also existential in the sense that it was constantly present within FDS members’ intimate lives, either through the pornification of sex or the introduction of dating applications. Keywords: Female Dating Strategy, Intimacy, Sexuality, Relationships, Dating, Romance, Existentialism, Existential Media. Acknowledgements I would like to extend a huge thanks to my friends, family and colleagues for their unwavering help and support throughout the process of writing this thesis. To my friends, the countless hours spent studying together were inspiring and challenging and created memories that I will cherish for a long, long time. I would like to thank my supervisor, Emil Stjernholm for encouraging me throughout this process and giving me inspiration to make this thesis my own whilst also challenging me to try something out of my comfort zone. Finally, I want to thank my partner, Isabell. You have inspired and supported me in so many countless ways I would not have wanted to do this without you. Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1. RESEARCH AIMS & QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................ 3 1.2. LITERATURE REVIEW......................................................................................................................... 4 1.2.1. Intimacy Modernity and Heteropessimism ..................................................................4 1.2.2. The Commodification of Intimacy & Sexual Capital ...................................................... 7 1.2.3. Romantic Anguish

FAQs

What is the main research focus of the thesis?

The thesis examines the Female Dating Strategy (FDS) online community and scrutinises how mainstream narratives about a “crisis of masculinity” shape understandings of intimacy, sexuality, and female romantic anguish.

How does the study analyze Female Dating Strategy content?

It analyzes posts on FDS forum, opinion pieces on the FDS website, material from the FDS Handbook, and expressions within The Female Dating Strategy Podcast.

What key findings does the thesis report about FDS members’ approach to romance?

The study finds an orientation to view romance and relationships transactionally, as part of members’ self-actualisation. Members encourage acting more autonomously, including “ruthlessly evaluat[ing]” men and making negative choices.

Aug 28, 2026

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