ONLINE DATING STATISTICS: WHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN?
Thanks to 21st century technology, lonely singles need never leave the house to find a mate and as online dating statistics point out, there are a lot of people doing just that. According to a recent announcement from Online Dating Magazine, over 20 million individuals a month have looked into matchmaking services offered through the internet. With so many turning to finding true love over the airwaves, one might wonder how effective this form of courtship may be and who actually benefits from this mega millions industry.
DOES ONLINE DATING WORK?
In a recent compilation of online dating statistics done by Online Dating Reviews, author unknown; it was noted that in 2009, “an average of 10 percent of members pay for the dating service and stay for less than 3 months.” This leaves us questioning whether or not clients left due to incompatibility with others or they found mates quickly and had no reason to remain members.
Another area touched on by the same company claims that “1 in 5 singles are currently in a committed relationship with someone they met on a dating site.” As a self-proclaimed skeptic, these numbers are a bit hard to swallow considering that none of my single friends, which I have many of, are currently committed to an online partner.
Admittedly, there is little doubt to the fact that online dating does work for some individuals. In fact, I can personally attest to firsthand witness of nuptials resulting from an online matchmaking service. Sadly, simple compatibility found through typing feelings never seems to equate with a lifetime of mutual growth and understanding.
WHO REALLY BENEFITS FROM ONLINE DATING?
While advocates of online dating might argue that over 120,000 matrimonial “I do’s” have come from online services (University of Calgary), the real beneficiary of monetary gains comes not to singles, but to the big business of conglomerated online dating industries. According to figures estimated by Online Dating Magazine, individuals will have spent a combined total of over 642 million dollars by 2008 on internet dating services.
I guess, again playing Devil’s advocate can have its downfalls, but if I don’t do it, then who will? If 642 million dollars are spent by lonely people desperate to find their one and only and only 120,000 matches actually result in marriage; who is really benefiting? Not only do these services gather excessive income from consumers, they also cash in on other companies who buy ad time on their sites.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Although there are so-called “free” dating services that can be found on the web, most of these offer limited services and leave much to be desired as far as compatibility measures. On the other hand, large scale online dating services may give consumers a false sense of safety concerning their “deep and meaningful compatibility”.
I agree that online dating presents singles with huge resources from which to draw on when actively seeking a mate. I agree that for a select few, a lifetime of wedded bliss can be gained from matchmaking services. I agree that reputable companies should charge legitimate fees for their services.
I do not, however, feel that online dating should be the norm, nor do I believe that spending exorbitant amounts of money in order to attain partnerships is a reasonable means by which to do so. There are far better options available that offer better statistics at less cost to singles. Getting out into the world and meeting fresh faces, lowering shallow standards of aesthetic beauty, and earning love through friendships are all far more likely to get people the relationships they so desperately seek.