Most people won’t like to admit it, but sexual kinks are pretty common. While we
are in an era where openness and authenticity are paramount, there still seems to
be a certain taboo circling conversations around kinky relationships. happn, the
leading real-life dating app, surveyed to explore how comfortable Indian singles
are about their kinks and pleasure. Being the land of Kamasutra, let’s reveal the
saucy side of Indian singles.
Comfort levels in discussing kinks:
happn’s recent survey brings to light a fascinating spectrum of comfort levels
among users when it comes to discussing their kink preferences. Surprisingly, the
35+ age group leads the pack, with an impressive 68% expressing an ease in
navigating kink conversations. In contrast, Gen Z women present a unique
perspective, with a staggering 83% stating they need time for such discussions and
0% feeling comfortable broaching the topic of dating apps. This showcases how
conversations around exploring kink-friendly relationships require real-life and
open communication, especially when you’re just starting to explore.
Most popular kinks in India:
happn’s survey unveils numerous kinks enjoyed across all age groups, with BDSM
and role-playing holding universal appeal. The mature age groups (35+) show a
heightened interest in humiliation and fetishism, while food-related kinks gain
popularity among younger respondents (18-25). Role-playing finds enthusiasts
across regions, particularly in the South-West (51%) and Central (44%) of India,
with the North-East (20%) and South-East (31%) demonstrating a penchant for
BDSM.
Reasons for seeking kink-friendly relationships:
The primary reasons for seeking kink-friendly relationships vary among age groups.
35-40-year-olds place greater emphasis on building deeper intimacy, while Gen Z
leans towards exploring new experiences.
Regional disparities also emerge, with South-West India standing out at 75%,
feeling very comfortable discussing kink preferences. The Northern regions lag
slightly behind at 56%. The South-East (70%) and North-West (60%) regions of
India are leading the way in seeking kink-friendly relationships. They are eager for
new, intimate experiences. Eastern India (36%) emphasises deeper intimacy, while the South-West (47%) wants to fulfil specific fantasies instead of adopting kinks
as a lifestyle.
Importance of finding a partner with shared kinks:
The significance of finding a partner with shared kink interests resonates strongly
among the 35+ age group, with 65% deeming it “very important.” Meanwhile, Gen Z
also considers it important but less significantly than the older age groups, as 50%
of them are neutral about it. The Central region (64%) emerges as a hotspot for
emphasising shared kink-friendly interests.
Red Flags in Kink-Friendly Relationships
Since this is a sensitive subject, there are a lot of red flags one needs to be
careful about. Lack of respect for boundaries emerges as a consistent concern,
resonating across all demographics. Disregarding safe practices is notably
significant among the 35+ age group. At the same time, respondents stress the
importance of discussing limits and interests and express wariness of pressure to
engage in activities without consent.
Regionally, concerns about lack of respect for boundaries intensified in the
North-East (37%) and Central-South (36%), while the Central (38%) and South-East
(30%) regions expressed concerns about their partner not asking for consent while
indulging in a kinky experience.
There’s a resounding consensus that kink is becoming more normalised in the
dating space, with approximately 40% agreement across all age groups. However,
a considerable portion, especially in the 35+ age group, still views it with hesitance
and stigma. Gen Z challenges the norm, wanting to normalise pleasure
discussions. Despite this shift, it’s essential to recognise that healthy discussions
around kinks while dating should always prioritise the comfort and consent of both
partners. In unveiling these insights, happn reaffirms its commitment to providing
a platform beyond mere connections, promoting the importance of healthy, open
discussions while dating.
