Dating advice: The age of romance

Whatever our life stage, lifestyle or background, we’re all connected by one common theme - the quest for love – but how does our life stage affect our attitudestowards looking for the one and stepping into the world of online dating.
Independent Singles takes a look.

Twenty-somethings

Work, active lifestyles, university, large social groups and a wealth of opportunities all mean that the twentysomethings of our generation are never short of new people to meet. So why do so many turn to online dating? For people in their 20s, the dating website has become an extension of their online persona. Weaned on a diet of Facebook, Twitter and various other forms of social media, accustomed to shopping, banking, chatting, sharing music and so on on the net, they've slotted online dating into their normal lives effortlessly. Sitting comfortably next to the club, workplace or bar, it’s simply social networking (where you nurture existing relationships as opposed to forming new ones) in reverse, and another way to seek a mate.

So what are they looking for? Typically, at this stage in their lives, twenty-somethings want it all. They’re looking for looks, money, ambition, honesty and above all, someone who they can build a future with. In particular, a study carried out by Netmums and Saga Magazine found that younger women are likely to be seduced by a high-flyer, with their perfect man typified by the wealthy ‘Mr Big’ character from the TV series Sex and the City.

Middle of the road

Middle of the road daters - in other words, people in their 30s and 40s, usually comprise of those who are in the market looking for a second- or third-time love, possibly due to divorce and usually as a single parent. With relationship breakdown on the increase, we’re now seeing a significant rise in the number of divorcees entering the dating scene. Similarly, with the rise in the number of children born outside of matrimony, the number of single parents searching for a new partner has increased accordingly.

According to a report from Love Geist, ‘being a single parent is no longer a taboo in the UK - the combination of falling marriage rates, the growth in the number of people choosing to cohabit rather than marry, and a variety of other socio-economic factors has meant that the number of single parents has grown substantially over recent years.’

Technology has played a huge role in allowing lone parents, and those who may be inexperienced in the ways of modern dating - due to coming out of the security of a long term relationship - to meet potential new partners. As social norms change and traditional relationships break down, online dating provides the perfectportal for those singles looking for new romance, whilst at the same time juggling everything that everyday life throws at them.

Silver Surfers

Online dating opens up a whole new arena for those people who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to find love.

This couldn’t be more apparent than from mature dating sites, with the 50+ demographic proving to be one of the fastest growing sectors in the market. It’s easy to see why too, considering this segment of the marketconsists of around 78 million baby boomers, with 30 per cent of them being single. In a culture that caters predominantly to the young, online dating has offered those dating in their later years, an easily accessible means of meeting new partners. With technology being very much at the heart of modern society it’s now a case of‘if you can beat them, join them.’

Using cutting-edge technology to cultivate age-old emotions, this age-group of online daters are looking for more deep-rooted qualities such as reliability, friendship, and kindness. Unlike the twentysomethings who are aroused by ambition, the mature daters have been there and done that, so to speak, andare consequently looking for mutually accepting companionship with a Mr or Mrs Sensible type.

Love at all ages

There’s no doubting that when it comes to online dating one mould certainly doesn’t fit all. With this in mind, Independent Singles caters for different age groups, offering a singles site which caters for the younger and middle-of-the-road daters, and a Mature site catering for the silver surfers.

So whatever stage you’ve arrived at, live life to the full with Independent Singles.