The 6-7 Dating Trend: A New Approach to Finding Love or Flawed Theory?
A new dating trend called the "6-7" method is gaining significant traction online, urging singles to prioritize emotional connection over physical appearance. This approach encourages people to consider partners who fall in the middle of an arbitrary attractiveness scale—specifically rating six or seven out of ten. Proponents argue that these "mid-range" individuals may be more reliable, thoughtful, and emotionally available than those perceived as conventionally more attractive.
The Theory Behind Dating a 'Six or Seven'
The core idea suggests that people rated as "tens" on the attractiveness scale are often less mature or attentive in relationships. High desirability, according to the trend, can foster self-focus and reduce the incentive to invest emotionally, making a six or seven a smarter choice for long-term compatibility. Susan Trombetti, a professional matchmaker and CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking, explains to The Independent that the trend essentially promotes the notion that "if you go for someone less hot, they will be more invested in the relationship and more grateful, as opposed to a '10' that supposedly has more options."
April Davis, a relationship expert and founder of Luma Luxury Matchmaking, acknowledges some benefits to this approach. "It does encourage singles to let go of the spark and stop chasing 'love at first sight,' which is a good thing," she says. "A lot of people idealize instant chemistry and ignore the real signs of long-term compatibility."
Expert Criticism and Pushback
Despite its popularity, the 6-7 trend faces substantial criticism from relationship professionals. One major flaw highlighted is the assumption that conventionally attractive individuals inherently lack emotional maturity or the qualities necessary for a healthy partnership. Trombetti strongly refutes this correlation, stating, "It's a stereotype, and 10s can be the perfect partner, whereas you might overlook the red flags in a 6 or 7. It's a great concept, but it doesn't hold water."
She elaborates further, explaining that "someone good-looking can be emotionally available, mature, and able to connect emotionally, whereas someone not good-looking might not be. It's a generalization." This sentiment was echoed on Fox & Friends, where guest Brianna Lyman, a correspondent at The Federalist, criticized the trend as people "lowering their standards a little bit" and settling rather than waiting for an ideal partner.
Why Singles Are Drawn to This Trend
The appeal of the 6-7 dating trend appears rooted in a growing sense of desperation among singles seeking a clear-cut method to avoid emotional burnout. Davis notes, "The 6-7 trend is just more backlash from dating apps and digital dating. Singles want something that works in their mind. Even though I think it sounds good, it only rings true in theory."
Research supports this notion of dating disillusionment. The Institute for Family Studies' 2025 National Dating Landscape Survey, which polled 5,275 unmarried young adults aged 22 to 35, found that 74 percent of women and 64 percent of men had not dated or only dated a few times in the previous year. Additionally, only one in three adults expressed confidence in their dating skills.
Davis suggests the trend may also function as a defense mechanism following heartbreak. "It's people saying, 'I'm done chasing the most attractive, exciting person in the room if it only leads to heartbreak,'" she says. "People are trying to protect their peace. The issue is that reducing someone to a number on a scale still keeps dating surface-level."
Reframing the Approach for Healthier Relationships
Rather than strictly adhering to the 6-7 trend, experts urge singles to reframe its underlying ideas. Davis emphasizes, "The idea of valuing stability is right, but the way people are talking about it and assessing it is wrong. You don't need to 'date down' to find a healthy relationship. You need to choose better based on behavior, not assume someone's personality and values based on how they look."
She advises that while the trend encourages de-centering superficial factors, it risks leading individuals to filter out potentially great matches based on biased assumptions. Instead, focusing on specific qualities that matter most—such as emotional availability, shared values, and consistent behavior—can foster more meaningful connections without reducing potential partners to arbitrary numerical ratings.
