A brutal analysis by a woman named Apoorva Govind has gone viral on social media, sparking intense debate about modern dating expectations among women in their 30s.
Her remarks were in response to a Wall Street Journal article titled “American women have never been this resigned to staying single,” which examined how disparities in education and career prospects between men and women are complicating romantic relationships.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Govind shared a now-viral thread that has garnered over 10 million impressions, claiming that many women in their 30s are still single because they’re “hunting unicorns.”
“Ok, f*** it, I’ll spill — All my friends still single in their 30s? They’re hunting unicorns. Somewhere along the way, a man stopped being just a man. Now he’s supposed to be your therapist, best friend, passionate lover, future father of the year, financial provider & probably a mind reader too. All wrapped up in one devastatingly handsome package,” she wrote.
She argued that women have internalized unrealistic ideals about men, largely shaped by media portrayals, and now hold out for partners who check a long list of emotional, physical, and financial boxes.
Govind went on to say that dating apps have further distorted women’s perception of dating value, noting that the abundance of matches gives the illusion of unlimited options.
“The casual fling marketplace & the commitment marketplace run on different fundamentals. I’d treat finding a match in the commitment marketplace as a zero-sum game. Your goal is to win and get out of the pool as quickly as possible or you’re in for a lot of drama,” she added.
She advised women to simplify their standards, recommending they focus on a few core values, financial compatibility, and long-term potential over superficial traits like height or appearance.
“Be like VCs betting on their future potential instead of venture debt providers who look at your current P&L,” she concluded.
The post has sparked a flurry of reactions online, with many praising Govind for her honesty, while others criticised the generalisations. Still, her take has resonated with a wide audience, adding fuel to the ongoing discourse around dating, gender expectations, and why more people are opting to stay single.
