People will do just about anything to find love: join dating websites, write personal ads and bid for dates on eBay.
One of the most unique of the list is a quest for love through reality television.
Jennifer Kerpelman, Auburn University human development and family studies professor, said people mainly watch these shows because they find them entertaining, or the shows fit a fantasy idea of what a romantic relationship is like.
"Some people like watching the drama, even if they don't want drama in their own lives," Kerpelman said. "Other people may think that the relationships they are watching on the show have more foundation than they actually do."
Brennen Stewart, senior in exercise science, said he has no interest in the shows, but thinks it's possible to find love on television.
"You can find love anywhere," Stewart said. "You can not look for it and completely find it, or you can be absolutely searching for it and it may take you forever to find love."
Although Stewart does not watch this type of television, he understands why so many do.
"I think the audience for these shows is targeted more at women, because they seem more driven toward romance," Stewart said. "Even if a woman is already married or in love with someone, she is still probably going to watch a show like The Bachelor."
Ashley Newton, senior in nutrition, said she watches the shows solely for entertainment.
"The concept of the show is unrealistic in reality," Newton said. "If I were dating a guy while he was also dating other women, I would not be OK with that at all."
Stewart said he thinks the shows seems unprofessional.
"I don't think there is anything good that will come long-term by lining up 30 women or 30 men and have them compete for attention," Stewart said.
Kerpelman, who has done professional research on the development of romantic relationships, said she hopes young adults see these shows as just vehicles for entertainment and not as examples of how people should find love in reality.
"Because these shows are designed for entertainment and may even be staged situations, they are not based on the steps for building a truly caring relationship with another person," Kerpelman said. "The short time frame of the shows and the competitive nature of the shows are not conducive to the people on the show forming authentic, healthy relationships."
Kerpelman said the ingredients of healthy romantic relationships are respect, communication and friendship, along with attraction and passion.
"We often really don't know a person until we have had many experiences with them, not only good times, but also challenges in the relationship," Kerpelman said.
"My guess is that young adults' direct dating experiences, those of their friends and information they get from parents and other family members are much more influential (than reality shows) in how they view and make decisions about romantic relationships."
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