Online Dating

By Jayde Johanssen

Not so long ago, people thought online dating was reserved for the socially awkward, the weirdos and cranks of society who somehow couldn't function like the rest of the world. It was considered an extreme measure. Today, however, that taboo has pretty much been done away with. Now millions of people are heading to the World Wide Web in search of love. Net love has not only become acceptable, it's quickly becoming the number one method for finding the love of your life. Or if not that, a great date at least. As it stands, even older folks, grandmas and grandpas are hooking up via the net.

The numbers are astonishing. The online dating industry is enormous. Google online dating and you'll find thousands upon thousands of dating sites like eHarmony or JackFoundJill. It's really a thriving market. It makes sense too. People are turning to the web more and more to work and play, so why not throw romance into the mix? And as the number of online dating sites increases, they are become more exclusive too.

If you're on the discriminate side, niche online dating sites can make all the difference. Niche sites are matchmaking services that are aimed at a single uniting factor like ethnic background or religious beliefs; however, there are tons of other niche sites. In fact there are niche sites for practically all interests. If you're into online gaming, there's a niche site for that. There are niche sites catered to dog lovers, bike enthusiasts, body art aficionados and the list goes on and on.

There's a site out there for everyone.

So why is online dating so popular? It's a question that many skeptics-- those who've never dipped their toe in the online dating waters, so to speak-- ask their convert friends. For those who aren't immersed in the world of online dating, it may still seem odd. The internet is known for its fictions as much as for its facts.

And a lot of people prefer to know what their potential partner actually looks like, off screen.

Online daters will be the first to tell their critics that they aren't up to speed with the times. Meeting people at Bingo or at the local club is old hat. Traditional dating is really hit or miss. You have no idea what a person's interests are before hand. With online dating, you can peruse profiles and find people that you actually think will be a good fit. There's also handy matching software which helps daters in the compatibility department. Online dating is a lot more selective. It's easier in a sense. Plus it's more casual; people are more at ease within their own homes. The whole dating ritual of going out and ending up stuck in a conversation with someone you can't stand can be avoided completely.

In times of economic hardship, online dating stats seem to rise. For people worried about their income or job situation, it's easy to go online and find someone to talk to. People start to think about their priorities. They want someone to support them, to be with them, through good times and bad. It's a coping mechanism as well as a form of entertainment, in a sense. It fits your agenda, your schedule, your budget.

Those who criticize online dating fail to realize that all the deceptions and lies that seem to plague the online dating scene are also characteristic of meatspace dating. - 32510

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