Online Dating at Midlife

Today, more women over 40 are single than ever before.

According to the most current population surveys, someone turns 40 every 7 seconds in America, and more than half of that figure represents the female population.

A Christian Science Monitor writer says:

"To newly minted singles coming out of long marriages, the prospect of dating can be daunting."

At the starting phase of dating, the woman may want to ask herself "why date?" In other words, what is the womens objective?

In 2007, a study asking people why they dated found out that "the single most important reason is to have someone to talk to or do things with."

Half of the singles in the study responded with this as their reason for dating. One woman from the group didn't agree,

"If these two reasons were the only reason for a woman to date it might be less complicated if she ran around with another woman instead of a man. She wouldn't have to worry about giving the guy the wrong signals. If I dated a guy it would also be because I found him sexually attractive,"

Other reasons from the study included having fun, finding a partner in life, find someone to marry, and to fulfill their sexual needs.

Understanding why you, or someone else, wants to date is an important 1st step in the dating process. This will give you a clear understanding of your desires, and removes unnecessary time in a relationship that has nothing to do with your dating goals.

In addition to your dating desires, a new single can consider what type of relationship they want.

"Companionship without commitment? Is that with or without sex? Do you want long-term and sex? Is that with or without commitment? Friend with benefits? Benefits without friendship? Marriage? Is that marriage with or without fidelity?"

You will be able to ask for what you really want, once you fully understand your needs and desires in others, as well as for yourself. Don't be shy when you begin online dating.

Knowing why you want to date is just as important as understanding who you want to date. Generally, distance and experience from relationships gives a person not just a needed break, but also some insight into their desires and what they may need from a partner.

Consider a few things before embarking upon the online dating journey: