I remember when I was online dating in my 30s and only told a few close friends. I felt ashamed that I was meeting people online rather than naturally in person. There was this stigma that it meant I was desperate if I was looking online for someone. But I still was meeting interesting people and had some fun outings. While I’m now in a committed relationship and we didn’t meet online, I thought it would be interesting to look at whether the online dating stigma still exists. Have times changed?
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Date Surrey Singles. I have been compensated for writing it, but all opinions are mine.
It’s increasingly popular: Proof the online dating stigma is disappearing
An increasing number of people are choosing online dating websites or matchmaking apps. When Pew Research Centre first surveyed people in the U.S. about online dating, in 2005, less than half (44 percent) thought it was a favorable way to meet people. Then fast-forward a decade, and they recreated the study, finding the number of people with this same mindset grew to 59 percent. In particular, the groups 18-24 years old and 55-64 years old have increased for users dating online.
These stats lead me to say that more than half of Americans think using a surrey dating site or another matchmaking platform can lead to positive opportunities. And that’s more people than ten years ago, as per the cited research. So that’s evidence that online dating has less of a stigma than it once did, right? But why, exactly?
How technology is changing romance
Technology is more a part of our lives now than ever. Smartphones are practically glued to the hands of almost everyone I know who’s around my age or younger. And even the other day my mom had lunch with a woman in her 60s who was texting periodically throughout lunch (I think that’s rude but that’s a subject for another blog post). Maybe she was on an over 50s dating site.
And computers are a huge part of many jobs too. Take my work as an online writer, for example, where all I require is an Internet connection to reach my clients. Computers are also a big part of recreational activities. Online gaming is a hugely popular pastime! And then there’s shopping via the Internet too, of course.
So it makes sense that more people are turning online to meet people too.
Now back to that online dating stigma question.
Why use dating websites? Benefits surpass the online dating stigma
The reality is that there are always going to be some people who disagree with what you’re doing. Even if you try to save the world, you’ll get critics about something. When I used to tell people that I was using a dating site, some would then ask why I couldn’t meet someone in real life instead. But now I wonder, why is the assumption that one is so much better than the other? I mean, there were many positive points about looking online for a date.
Benefits of online dating include:
- You can see right away the person of interest is single (assuming they’re honest!)
- Being able to see someone’s likes and dislikes right off the bat from their profile
- Seeing if you think the person is attractive
- Getting an idea of whether they live close or not to you
- And more!
And certainly there are more dating sites in surrey and other places to choose from than a decade ago. That means there’s the need for it. And I say go for it to anyone who does seek love online. A perk is not sitting at a bar or coffee shop waiting for someone to approach you. Instead, take the reins, create a dating profile and try out love in this alternative approach.
That is, assuming you want to find someone. Alternatively, you can have an amazing single and happy life!
Reducing the negative reputation
Given the increasing popularity of matchmaking websites and apps, I think their reputation for being only for desperate singles is less than before. It’s slowly going away, I believe.
The online dating stigma is fading as younger generations grow up with technology. Using it for work and play, the computers and mobile devices naturally are useful to meet people too. And so it’s only a matter of time before online dating sites are even more of a norm than they’ve already become.
And besides, why do we care so much what other people think? If you find you’re meeting great people via matchmaking platforms, then go for it. You may just be falling in love over the Christmas holidays.
That’s my opinion, what’s yours?
#dating #love #online #relationship