To quote a young Bob Dylan, “Oh, the times, they are a-changin’!” With the second Donald Trump Administration underway, 2025 has already seen many cultural shifts … and divides.

One concern for women is the dating space, where some are already saying they are “terrified” to meet men in a time when men feel empowered enough to yell “Your body, my choice!” in women’s faces. It’s normal to feel unsafe in a time when misogyny is not only openly promoted, but embraced, and if you find yourself pausing at the idea of going on a date, you are far from alone.

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Despite the circumstances, many single women would still like a chance at having fulfilling romantic relationships. To learn how to better navigate these tumultuous waters, PLAYBOY sought out the takes of professionals in the sex, dating and relationships space on what to expect and how to move forward.

First, the Facts

Psychologist & sex therapist Dr. Kate Balestrieri shared a troubling data point: “Online misogyny increased by 4600% [after the 2024 election]. The encouragement and normalization of sexist and misogynistic ideology, language, and laws make up the very fabric of this administration. These attitudes and shifts in policy could embolden some individuals to express sexist attitudes and misogynistic behaviors more openly, especially on social media.”

Dr. Balestrieri also offers a word of caution, claiming that “the political polarization of the Trump era has already had a significant impact on dating preferences, with many people, especially those in marginalized groups, prioritizing political alignment in their partners. This could intensify, leading to additional segmentation in dating pools, especially in heterosexual relationships, where progressive and conservative folks may be at odds in their relational expectations and political alignment.”

In short, if you’re entering the dating space, you should be prepared that these issues should come up – and be crystal-clear about where your boundaries are.

Read more: How Would Dating Work if Money Did Not Exist?

Dating During the #MeToo Era

PLAYBOY also spoke to sex educator & author Zoë Ligon for her thoughts on America’s current dating situation. Ligon says that “headlines are saying younger generations are having less sex, and while that might not be true for everyone, I think this overall trend can be attributed in part to an oversaturated exposure to sex in both positive and negative ways.”

To give an example, Zoë continued, “Growing up in a #MeToo era means that there is more social awareness of sexual abuse and exploitation, and people speak more freely about these subjects in general. Ideally, that assists people in feeling more safe speaking out against bad behavior, and hopefully reduces sexual violence as a whole. However, a heightened awareness of things such as this can contribute to a skewed view that creates hyper-vigilance and avoidance of sex.”

“While no one can truly say how we’ll evolve in dating, I think it’s reasonable to expect that things will become more complicated and nuanced, and educational sources will be harder to decipher from misinformation,” Ligon said.

Why You Shouldn’t Lose Hope

Finally, we spoke to The Playboy Advisor‘s newest voice, Maria Orrego. She is a licensed therapist, intimacy/relationship coach, and founder of “Sex Off The Pedestal.”

“Political shifts can definitely shake things up, especially when amplified by media and social platforms,” Orrego said. “Let’s be honest, the loudest, most extreme voices love to steal the spotlight, making it seem like dating is all clashing ideologies and cultural chaos.”

However, Orrego encourages single women not to forget about “the bigger picture.”

“While social media thrives on division, we’re also in an era of growing acceptance: ethical non-monogamy, kink, and other once-taboo experiences are becoming part of mainstream conversations,” Orrego said. “This is a huge shift in the world of sex & relationships. People are setting boundaries, prioritizing emotional intelligence, and getting crystal clear on what actually turns them on, emotionally and sexually.”

Something to Keep in Mind

Read more: How Long-Term Couples Can Rekindle Bedroom Fire

Regardless of what president is in office, we all have bottom lines and dealbreakers when it comes to our love lives. Don’t let anyone continually bully you with rhetoric or ideologies that make you uncomfortable.

Perhaps now more than ever, it is helpful to reflect on your personal principles and which values you hold most dear before you get on an app and swipe right. Making a priority list of these can be more helpful than you think. Yes, it’s a time to proceed with caution, but remember: many, many good people do still exist in the world that you have yet to meet. And if the whole song and dance of trying to find them exhausts you and you need to step away from dating for a while, that’s fine too. Be gentle to yourself and take it one step at a time.

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