The Depressed Dow Has Increased Online Dating
A recent article at http://www.marketingvox.com/depressed-dow-drives-americans-into-arms-of-online-dating-042390/ describes how more people started doing online dating when the stock market dropped. This article suggested that people tend to seek companionship during times of stress. Research funded by EHarmony also showed that 57% of Americans are more worried about their love lives during this financial crisis. It also found that younger, single respondents were more likely to pursue a relationship now.
Maybe ‘misery loves company.’ There are the practical concerns, like wanting a joint income that marriage and co-habitation often provide, as well as emotional reasons such as wanting someone with whom to experience the good and the not so good.
Eharmony research found that 84% of people are spending more time online before meeting face to face now. They did not explore the why’s of this but one hypothesis could be that a guy can be sure he likes someone before footing the bill for a date, during this economy. Meeting online for a monthly fee allows you to get to know someone first overtime (for your already paid monthly fee) instead of meeting them live and immediately asking them out.
So, although rough financial times can increase the desire to find a relationship, I think that spending money may make singles wary about expensive dates and singles events. Single men and women can suggest dates that are special and fun but that don’t cost a lot. This way you can (eventually) meet face-to-face without breaking the bank.
Bio: Dr. Paulette Kouffman Sherman is a licensed psychologist, a dating coach and author of ‘Dating From the Inside Out: How to Use the Law of Attraction in Matters of the Heart’ by Atria Books, award Winner of the national ‘Best Books’ Award in the category of Self Help: relationships. She is the Director of www.mydatingschool.com. She has been a dating expert on the CBS Early Show & the AM Northwest Early Show, as well as many radio programs. She was quoted in publications such as
MSN.com, USA Weekend, Lifetime.com, Reader’s Digest, ‘Glamour,’ ‘Seventeen’ and ‘Complete Woman’ magazine.