Apparently, as we approach Valentine's day, the print media are starting to publish stories about online romance. Since most of the ones we hear about tend to be very flashy, I thought I'd link you to two stories that I think are much more typical (and interesting!) about folks finding love online.
The first story is about rural singles using online dating services for companionship and marriage. My take on this is that if you think it's hard to date in the city with a zillion people to choose from, imagine dating in the country.
I also read this article on an older couple finding each other online and thought it must be much, much more typical of how most people use these services to find love. Remember, dear students, that although your age group makes up the majority of people on facebook (and the majority of students in my class!) :-), you are not the majority of people online. Old folks like me are the most populous group!
Finally, would you like to share your generation's experience of love online? The NY Times Modern Love column wants you to tell us what love is like now.
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4 comments:
I am not very familar with online dating. I have always said that I would never do it. I think I am a little old-fashioned because to me what kind of story is that. After reading these artilces it is almost like a fairy tale in the 20th century. I have a family member that did a little online dating. I think it would be a little scary. The media always blows up all the bad things that can happen when meeting someone you do not know. These stories are so sweet and perfect. It still leaves a lot open to the imagination though about this whole phenomenon.
The small town story I TOTALLY understand!!! I am from a small town and I too knew everyone at the church, at my high school, at all the surrounding schools, etc. Needless to say my girlfriends and I ended up switching boyfriends often though out the years up until graduation, and then we all moved away. I have never been a member of an online dating site, but did at one time encounter one that was specifically for the “Greek community”. I came across this because I was trying to do some research on my boyfriend’s ethnicity, however ended up becoming interested in the profiles and information that people put up. A lot of them were very blunt about why they were there … either they hadn't had any luck with other relationships or they wanted to try and date a “Greek” girl for once in their lives. Anyway I think online dating sites are a good thing for some people, like the ones in the stories. But I would have a hard time starting a relationship online because of all the unknown factors.
I tend to subscribe to the negative and largely inaccurate stereotypes that online dating carries. I could never envision myself being a part of it, but I think that scene does have some good aspects. Personally, I tend to gravitate toward the convenience of finding someone I'm compatible with. I'd much rather click through pages of 'qualified' individuals as opposed to having to go out and try to meet that person by chance in ftf interactions. The question is; would this convenience negatively impact my socialization?
I am from a small town originally and now I live downtown Charlotte. I know what it's like when everyone knows who you are and there really just isn't anyone to date. I have never tried online dating myself but I can see how older adults use online dating becasue they may not have as many opportunities as younger people for meeting people. I would indeed be very careful of the site and do alot of research before I ever tried it.
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