Having A Pretend Boyfriend: A Self-Disclosure Analysis of Couples in the Date Renting Phenomenon

Abstract

Dating is the approach of two people who know each other before entering into a relationship. However, dating can now be done with a hired person. Hired dating is a new phenomenon that is done to overcome loneliness, dating experience, or fulfill social demands. The formulation of the problem is how the form of self-disclosure done by hired lovers. The purpose of the research is to analyze the self-disclosure and behavioral changes of talents and clients. The research concept is self-disclosure and social penetration theory. The paradigm is post-positivism with a descriptive qualitative approach. The unit of analysis in the research is individuals who work as hired lovers and clients. Data were collected using observation, interview, and documentation study techniques. The data analysis techniques were data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of the study show that clients self-disclose because of demands and needs while talents do not self-disclose perfectly because they are required to hide their data. Another finding states that time, which is an important element in self-disclosure, only applies to relationships that grow naturally, not transactional. The self-disclosure process of hired lovers is done quickly even though it is forced.