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Pro's & Con's of Online Dating

by Team TCP

Online dating has become a mainstream way to find love, with millions turning to the internet for potential partners. This article explores the pros and cons of online dating, helping you navigate this popular avenue for romance.

The Allure of Online Dating

Less Stress: Online dating can be less stressful than traditional dating. There are no awkward first-date jitters about where to eat or who pays. Plus, communication issues are minimized because you're not face-to-face.
Mystery and Intrigue: The inability to see someone constantly can be exciting. It allows you to focus on personality traits without the pressure of physical attraction. The process of revealing yourselves bit by bit can be a turn-on for some.
Communication Skills Boost: Online dating can improve your communication and problem-solving skills. Since written communication is key, you learn to express yourself clearly. You also develop strategies to navigate potential misunderstandings arising from text-based interaction.

The Downsides to Consider

Fake Profiles: "Catfishing," where someone misrepresents their identity online, is a major risk. They may lie about appearance, finances, or even their personality. Be cautious about the information you share.
Safety Concerns: Online daters can be vulnerable to meeting people with malicious intentions. Never reveal your full address, phone number, or workplace location too soon. Meet in public places for initial dates and inform friends and family about your plans.
Limited Physical Intimacy: The lack of regular in-person interaction can make physical intimacy difficult in the beginning. This can strain the relationship for some. Take things slow and prioritize emotional connection before getting physical.

In summary, online dating can be a successful path to love, but it's important to be aware of the potential drawbacks. Approach online dating with caution, prioritize safety, and let the relationship develop organically. Remember, love can blossom anywhere, online or offline.

Additional Information:

According to a 2022 survey by Pew Research Center, 30% of U.S. adults have used online dating sites or apps. While many report positive experiences, a significant number have also encountered harassment or explicit messages.

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ACCORDING TO FORBES (2024)

www.forbes.com/health/dating/dating-statistics/

Dating App Success Rate

A survey from OnePoll/Forbes Health conducted in August 2023 polled 5,000 U.S. respondents who have actively dated in the last five years, and looked into how people date, how they prefer to date, online and app-based dating and more.

Nearly 70% of individuals who met someone on a dating app said it led to a romantic, exclusive relationship, while 28% said it did not[3].
Individuals between ages 43 and 58 found the most success with online dating, with 72% stating that meeting on a dating app led to a romantic relationship[3].
Males were more likely to have met someone on a dating app and have it lead to an exclusive relationship (75%), compared to 66% of females[3].

Dating App Statistics

Online dating is still very popular, with nearly three in 10 U.S. adults saying they have used a dating site or app, and more than 40% stating that online dating has made dating easier for them[4].
When asked how they currently feel about dating, nearly 36% of respondents stated “somewhat positively” and 24% said “very positively,” while almost 23% felt indifferent to dating. Only 4% felt “very negatively[3].”
Additionally, nearly 68% of males felt positively about dating, compared to around 55% of females[3].
The top place to find dates according to 45% respondents was online dating apps, followed by being connected by a friend (33%) and concerts or festivals (32%)[3].
A little more than half of all respondents found looks and personality to be equally as important ahead of a first date. Older individuals also seem to value looks more, with 19% of those 78 and older naming it their top concern, with just 8% of those between the ages of 18 and 26 saying the same. However, personality as a top pick triumphed, with 31% of all respondents valuing it most[3].
Almost three in 10 respondents found the best time to tell a partner you love them was around the four-to-six-month mark, which was the most popular timeframe amongst all age groups respectively—except Gen Z. The majority of Gen Z found one to three months to be the optimal time[3].
Overall, respondents were more concerned with emotional cheating than physical, with the top three responses for what they classify as cheating including intentionally fantasizing about another person in a romantic way, flirting with another person and still having an online dating profile—having sex with someone who’s not your partner came in at a close fourth[3].
Additionally, 34% of men found ‘liking’ another person’s photo on social media who matches with a partner’s sexual orientation to be a form of cheating, which was the third highest pick by males, while it didn’t even score in women’s top five cheating concerns[3].

How Many People Are Single?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 47% of the U.S. population (just over 117 million people) are currently single[5].
2023 data from Pew Research Center finds that three in 10 Americans are single, and about half (51%) are open to either a committed relationship or casual dates. Over half of men (56%) are looking for either a committed relationship or casual dates, and less than half of women (44%) say the same thing[6].

What Percentage of Men and Women Are Single?

According to a 2023 survey by Pew Research Center, 32% of men reported being single, followed by 28% of women in 2022[6].

Average Age of Marriage in the U.S.

The average age of people getting married has increased, as people are choosing to take that step later in life. The average age for a first marriage for men is 30, while for women, it’s 28 years old[7].

Dating and Relationship Status Statistics

A “Singles in America” survey by The Harris Poll Thought Leadership Practice found that a quarter of Americans said they weren’t looking for a relationship and eight in 10 Americans felt that you don’t need to be married to be happy[8].
Per 2022 research, in the previous two years, more than one-third (39%) of people on the dating app Bumble have ended a marriage or a serious relationship[9].
One small 2023 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health that looked at 237 people in relationships found that sexual satisfaction was directly linked to relationship satisfaction for both partners. Interpersonal closeness was almost as important for women[10].

The dating world is different today than it was many years ago. Statistics show that U.S. adults are getting married later in life and that most people who are single are happy with their relationship status.

“Societal expectations are lower and pressures to get married in your 20s are less,” says Carole Lieberman, M.D., a psychiatrist and author based in Beverly Hills, California. “In some ways this is a good thing, in that people don’t rush into marriage before they’re ready,” adds Dr. Lieberman..

Other experts agree that the trend of getting married later in life shouldn’t be deemed a negative. “The ever-evolving societal expectations and pressures are bound to change the dating world,” says Tara Lally, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in the department of psychiatry at Ocean University Medical Center in New Jersey. “Marrying and having children later allows both partners to have established careers and identities, which bring an equal partnership into the relationship.”

Dating and Preferred Relationship Type Statistics

More than one third of people (38%) are more open to dating someone who is not their physical type and 28% are less concerned with dating someone that matches the expectations of others. Additionally, 63% are more concerned with emotional maturity than physical looks[9].
Almost half of adults (49%) are focused on prioritizing their work/life balance and 13% are not interested in dating someone with a demanding job[9].
A YouGov poll that surveyed 1,000 Americans and found that 34% of respondents described their ideal relationship as something other than complete monogamy, with men and women under 45 being more likely than older adults to be interested in something other than complete monogamy[11].
According to internal insights from dating platform Plenty of Fish, nearly half (48%) of single millennials and Gen Z have opted to go on less expensive, budget-friendly dates because of inflation[12].
Among 18 to 25-year-olds, 80% say that their own self-care is a top priority when dating and 79% want their partners to feel the same, according to Tinder’s Future of Dating Report 2023. Additionally, 75% of young singles find someone more attractive if they are willing to work on their mental well-being[13].
A 2022 eHarmony survey on the biggest dating trends in 2023 found that over half of people surveyed (55%) who have been in a relationship feel the most loved when their partner acknowledges their emotions. This is followed by 38% feeling the most loved by sharing new experiences and 31% getting space to be alone[14].

Online dating is a huge part of the dating world today, and is one of the main ways people look for a partner, with the Pew Research Center reporting that three in 10 U.S. adults have used dating apps. An advantage of online dating is that it allows for “rather anonymous engagement wherein individuals can distantly engage with one another,” adds Lally, making it easier for some people to get into the dating pool. However, “it can limit an authentic connection,” which may be one negative aspect of the experience.

Dating in the U.S. Statistics

Data from Pew Research Center has found that 47% of Americans say dating is harder now than it was 10 years ago[15].
Inflation also seems to have impacted how people choose to date, according to a Singles in America survey by The Harris Poll. Seven in 10 Americans are choosing more inexpensive activities, like hiking, instead of going out to eat at a restaurant—55% of people would host a first date at home and 44% are open to a virtual date[8].
A dating survey from the Survey Center on American Life found that women are more likely than men to be unable to find someone who meets their dating expectations. And college-educated women in particular have more specific expectations, and are concerned about dating someone who has differing views on abortion, smokes, is unemployed and more[16].
In a Clever survey of more than 1,000 Americans, data revealed that nearly half of adults (48%) think that mental health is more important than marriage, followed by 44% stating physical health, 31% thinking personal growth is and 25% say being debt-free is[17].
About half of U.S. adults (52%) who have never been married or lived with a partner are most likely to use an online dating service, while only 36% of Americans who are divorced, separated or widowed have tried online dating[18].

Nearly half of Americans feel like dating has become more difficult in the past decade, and there are many potential reasons for this[15]. “The pandemic and lockdowns caused so many changes and [many feel] we haven’t [yet] settled back down to a ‘new normal,’” says Dr. Lieberman. “For example, with so many of us staying in to work from home, there’s less of a chance of crossing paths with someone in real life who we want to date.”

Lally agrees that all of the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have really affected the dating world. “Many have used the isolation of COVID for self-reflection and to identify values and standards for oneself,” she says. “If potential partners do not meet those expectations, engaging in a relationship may not be necessary or tolerated. Individuals are valuing themselves, prioritizing families, friendships and careers at this time.”

Forbes also includes:

The best free dating sites: www.forbes.com/health/dating/best-free-dating-sites/

The best dating apps: www.forbes.com/health/dating/best-dating-apps/

Eharmony review: www.forbes.com/health/dating/eharmony-review/

Best dating apps for serious relation ships: www.forbes.com/health/dating/best-dating-apps-for-serious-relationships/

The best dating site for seniors: www.forbes.com/health/dating/best-senior-dating-sites-03722/

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