From stonewalling to sharing: How emotionally expressive men are changing dating game in India

Published on: Oct 5, 2025, 19:47:55 IST

By Akanksha Agnihotri

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Indian men are moving away from traditional beliefs about masculinity, embracing emotional availability. (Unsplash)

Modern Indian dating is evolving, emotionally available men are breaking stereotypes, opening up, and building stronger, more meaningful connections with women.

Being emotionally available is key to forming meaningful connections in dating, but it's easier said than done. Understanding your own feelings, communicating openly, and being present can help you build trust, intimacy, and stronger relationships. Ravi Mittal, founder and CEO of QuackQuack, shares with HT Lifestyle how you can become more emotionally available and navigate modern dating with confidence. (Also read: Can late-night eating habits affect hormones? Lifestyle coach says these 9 changes can help )

How modern Indian men are redefining dating

For a long time, Indian society has held two firm beliefs about men: they don't talk about their feelings, and they don't cry. Men were expected to provide, protect, and take care, but asking to be taken care of, or showing vulnerability- wasn't considered "manly."

The good news? Over the past few years, modern dating, amplified by virtual platforms, has started to dismantle these stereotypes. Men are no longer bottling up emotions, and love has become far more enjoyable when communication flows both ways.

Modern dating trends show millennials and Gen Z prefer emotionally available partners. (Pexels )

Why are emotionally expressive men more desirable

A survey by the Indian dating app QuackQuack shows that 3 in 5 men now openly discuss vulnerabilities and share their flaws and red flags during the initial chatting phase itself. Surveys indicate that emotionally available men are increasingly desirable to women.

Profiles that include statements like "I go to therapy every Sunday" or "Still moving on from the last breakup but open to connections" receive more attention for their honesty. Emotional availability has even surpassed the traditional "six-pack abs and over six feet" checklist in desirability. Millennials and Gen Z are leading this change, seeking partners who communicate openly and rejecting toxic masculinity traits like hot-and-cold behaviour or stonewalling.

Traditional gender roles are slowly fading as women take the lead while men embrace being wooed. Relationships thrive when both partners communicate openly. Vulnerable, emotionally available men are not only attractive, but they also help build stronger, more sustainable connections.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Akanksha Agnihotri
Akanksha Agnihotri is a lifestyle journalist with over 3 years of experience. She is a psychology graduate and holds a postgraduate diploma in Radio and Television Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi, where she graduated as a gold medalist. Originally from Bhopal, the beautiful capital of Madhya Pradesh, she draws inspiration from the city’s rich cultural heritage and layered storytelling traditions that subtly shape her narrative voice. She writes extensively about fashion, beauty, health, relationships, culture, and food, exploring everything from trending styles and runway moments to wellness routines and mindful living. Passionate about meaningful and candid conversations, she enjoys interviewing celebrities, doctors, designers, and film personalities, diving into discussions on fitness, beauty, mental health, and everything fun in between. With a keen eye for trends and a thoughtful understanding of human behaviour, she brings depth, sensitivity, and authenticity to her stories, ensuring they resonate with a wide and diverse audience. When she’s not working, you’ll usually find her lost in a book, planning her next mountain trek, or mapping out spontaneous travel escapes. She loves discovering new authors, revisiting old favourites, and spending quiet afternoons in museums soaking in art, history, and culture. An avid bird-watching enthusiast, she finds joy in early morning walks, spotting rare birds, and reconnecting with nature. Whether sipping coffee while journaling her thoughts or exploring hidden corners of a new city, she constantly seeks inspiration in everyday moments that often turn into compelling story ideas.Read More

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