As Valentine’s Day 2025 approaches, the question arises once again—are men more romantic than women? Popular culture, fueled by grand proposals in movies and dramatic declarations of love, often paints men as the ones who go the extra mile in romance. But what does research say? Experts suggest that men might actually hold stronger romantic beliefs than women, even if societal norms dictate otherwise.
Do Men Hold Stronger Romantic Ideals?
A 1989 study that developed the Romantic Beliefs Scale—a widely used metric to measure romantic ideologies such as love at first sight and soulmates—found that men were more likely than women to endorse these ideals. Despite this, society continues to perceive women as more romantic due to their emotional investment in relationships.
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Dr. Justin Garcia, executive director of the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University, explains that while modern dating has seen shifts toward gender equality, traditional norms still shape expectations.
“It often appears that men do more romantic things because they’re expected to,” Garcia told The Washington Post. “Men are more romantic than they’re often given credit for.”
Men Suffer More from Love Loss
Studies suggest that romantic relationships matter more to men than women in several ways:
- Cambridge University research found that men struggle more with love loss and rely more on their significant others for emotional support.
- The American Psychological Association reported that men are often the first to say “I love you” in relationships.
- A 2021 survey revealed that men are less likely than women to seek emotional support from friends, relying more on their romantic partners for comfort.
Dr. Gwendolyn Seidman, a visiting scholar in psychology at Michigan State University, explains that women may crave deeper emotional connection and invest more effort into maintaining relationships, which can be mistaken for greater romanticism.
“Romanticism refers to beliefs about love rather than the actions taken within relationships,” she noted. “Believing in love at first sight doesn’t necessarily correlate with how much effort you put into your relationship daily.”
Romanticism: Nature vs. Nurture
While men may have stronger romantic ideals, societal and cultural expectations shape how romance is expressed. Traditionally, men are expected to initiate grand gestures, while women are often associated with relationship nurturing and emotional bonding.
Dr. Paul Eastwick, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, suggests that at their core, both men and women seek similar things in relationships—love, connection, and emotional fulfillment.
“In the end, men and women want the same things out of relationships, even if their approaches differ,” Eastwick explains.
Conclusion: Who Is More Romantic?
While research suggests men may believe in romantic ideals more than women, romanticism itself is complex. Cultural, societal, and personal factors play a significant role in shaping how love is perceived and expressed. Ultimately, romance is about individual expressions of love, rather than gender-based tendencies.
As Valentine’s Day 2025 nears, perhaps the real takeaway is that romance isn’t about who is more romantic—but about how both partners contribute to love and connection in their own ways.
