Dating Divorcees

Dating Divorcees
- by Andrew McPhillips

Online dating has continued to escalate tremendously over the past decade. Online dating has proven to have a high success rate and the public continues to use this tool. “In 2006 EHarmony did a study and reported that in a one year time period ending in August 2005, 33,000 members had gotten married. That averages out to 90 marriages a day” (Rosen). Many divorcees are learning this and gaining hope that they can find love once again.

Divorce rates have been high for the past couple decades. “In the 1970’s divorces started to increase and by 1980 one in every two marriages ended in divorce” (McGuinness). The most common age group for divorce is for people in there 40’s. This is usually when their children have grown up (if they have any) and some may be experiencing a midlife crisis. Divorce is a very emotional event and affects all members of a family. Many times when a person divorces they become unhappy and scared to get back into dating. Many divorced singles have children and feel bad taking time away from their children by going out to meet people. Some struggle with confidence issues and feel a bar is no longer a good setting to meet singles. Many dating sites are specifically catering to these kinds of people. Kim Hughes, a dating expert for the site LavaLife.com, Says “Online dating gives single parents who are busy but also cautious of who they allow into their world the chance to look for a mate on their own time and the ability to screen and filter their search." (Entertainment). On Mother’s Day LavaLife offers single mothers the opportunity to join for free, in hopes of finding them love once again. LavaLife encourages online dating stating that it is affordable, convenient to busy schedules, customizable, and a safe environment.

Online dating encourages divorcees to continue with their lives and start dating at their own time and pace. Online dating sites are catering more and more to the older generation. Many offer tips and advice about divorce and how to get back into the dating game. “Match.com made a statement saying their 45-54 age group was their fastest growing division, increasing 350 percent since 2000 and is responsible for 22 percent of all users. Representative Kristin Kelly said that older users tend to be clearer and more realistic about who they are and what they want” (Noveck). Overall online dating has become a very beneficial tool for divorced people. Online seems to be a better environment for older people and the success rates show that this works.



Works Cited
Anonymous. "Lavalife: Online Dating Ideal for Single Moms." Entertainment Close-Up (2011). Print.
McGuinness, Teena. "Marriage, Divorce, and Children." Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services 44.2 (2006): 17-20. Print.
Noveck, Jocelyn. "Baby Boomers Embrace Online Dating." Charleston Gazette 16 Mar. 2006: P3A. Print.
Rosen, L., N. Cheever, C. Cummings, and J. Felt. "The Impact of Emotionality and Self-disclosure on Online Dating versus Traditional Dating." Computers in Human Behavior 24.5 (2008): 2124-157. Print.