IN this busy age in which we live, where people are working longer hours, struggling to get ahead at work, and scared of losing their jobs, we seem to have less and less time to socialise.
For many time-poor singletons the thought of going out after work in search of a mate is becoming less and less appealing, especially for those living in big cities; Dating In London for example can be a tricky business, the hectic pace of life and anonymity of the capital often making it a lonely place. And, for those that don't meet someone at school, university or in the workplace it's a case of relying on bars and clubs, great when you're 20 but not so appealing when you're getting older and are quite frankly exhausted at the end of the working week.
This is probably why Online Dating is becoming increasingly popular, especially in an age where social networking is the norm, and most people have a Facebook account and Tweet on a daily basis. Although some still have reservations, most are coming round to the idea and for many young professionals it's seen as a no-nonsense, practical way of meeting interesting people in the area in which they live.
People often resist the idea because they would rather find love "the normal way" which is great in theory, but as friends become coupled-up, start marrying and having kids, might find their pool of clubbing buddies becomes increasingly smaller and nights out are more about catching up with friends for a gossip than going out on the prowl for a potential mate.
Some feel that online dating doesn't produce that initial spark of attraction, which might to some extent be true, but that doesn't mean that you can't find a great relationship, fall in love and even marry someone you meet online. Often people who meet in this way develop more meaningful and fulfilling relationships because they have had the chance to get to know each other from their profiles, by e-mail and instant message before they actually meet in person.
If you meet someone in a bar you might become instantly, blindly, attracted to them but do you know if they want a long-term commitment, are obsessed with football or don't believe in monogamy? Yes, people can of course lie on their dating profiles, but on the whole people tend to veer towards the truth and you know they are on the site because they want a relationship of some sort.
For singles with children, internet dating can also be a life-saver. In the past people finding themselves divorced or single with children would find it hard to meet a new partner. Those with small children may have limited time and between juggling work and child care so may find precious little time to go out and find a date. Meeting someone online, who maybe also has kids, provides an ideal scenario in which to start a new relationship with someone who knows the demands and restrictions of dating when you have children.
Older singles may also have found this problem in the past and so Senior Dating is also on the increase. Those 50 and over who are maybe divorced, widowed or recently separated from a long-term partner may find their social life has revolved around meeting up with other couples for many years, leaving them feeling isolated and ostracised when suddenly single again. Dating online allows older singles to break out of this isolation and meet potential partners in the same position.
Like with dating in "real life" online dating may not work out for everyone, and it's possible that you might have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince, but it certainly increases the chances of meeting a mate. For those who still feel there is a stigma attached to online dating, it's worth remembering that once a relationship is established, it really doesn't matter how it started, and while online dating savvy friends are out meeting a potential Miss or Mr Right, those too proud to try it may well be sitting at home on a Friday night, with a microwave meal for one, waiting for that random someone they met in a bar last week to call.
