Despite online dating’s growing popularity, there is still a stigma associated with online dating. Some research holds to the fact that if a relationship is formed online, it does not have the same dynamics as a relationship formed face to face and therefore will not be a successful relationship. (Kang & Hoffman, 2011) Another stigma related to online dating is the people who utilize them. When dating sites first became popular, people often imagined 37 year old men in their Mothers’ basements or crazy cat ladies using them. But research shows that online dating sites are used almost equally by men and women and people around the age of 40. (Valkenburg & Peter, 2007)
There are many stereotypes about older adults looking for relationships using online dating sites. However, many of these individuals are looking toward online dating after a loved one passes or they have to move for a job or retirement. After researchers performed a study looking at the gender of the individuals and what age group they were looking for, the results seem to match the stereotype that older men are seeking younger women. The older men were, the bigger age range there seemed to be in the women they were looking for. For women it seemed as if they were seeking an older man throughout the process until they reached the age of 75. When people think of older adults on the internet, they don’t realize that when individuals get older they still need that type of romantic connection to keep them going in their life. (Alterovitz & Mendelsohn, 2011).
There is also a stigma towards younger individuals online dating. Online dating is stereotyped to be something for middle aged-individuals who never married, older people or "cat ladies". But what individuals do not realize is that online dating is just as socially acceptable and successful with younger people in their twenties. Younger people, as in individuals in their twenties and early thirties, are thought to be able to just go out to bars or social events to be able to find possible partners and significant others. But, this is not always as easy as it seems for all of these individuals. Older adults are more likely to be more occupied with work, or even kids if they are single parents and do not have the same amount of time to go out and mingle and meet others.
Research shows that involvement and participation in online dating increases with age. This goes to support the stereotype that online dating is for older individuals. This fact also supports the socioemotional selectivity theory. The socioemotional selectivity theory holds that time perspective affects goal setting and and selection such that the salience of different goals varies across the lifespan and in particular poises that as people age, they are more focused on the present and goals associated with emotional regulation with less focus on longer-term goals. Emotional regulation is a key facet of intimate relationships and is an important factor in developing relationships (Stephure, Boon, MacKinnion, & Deveau, 2009). Although this research supports the stereotypes that online dating is more for older adults, online dating has also been shown to be successful for younger individuals.
There are online dating sites for not only people with all kinds of interests, but for people of all ages. Marie Claire has this article showing how there are a number of online dating sites for younger people. Due to the stigma associated with Match or eHarmony being for middle aged or older people, more dating sites are attempting to lure in younger users.
It is interesting that this stigma exists since what is seen as the older form of online dating, personal ads, was popular with younger aged people. In the 1970s personal ads boomed and could be found in almost any form of print; newspaper, magazines, and other mainstream publications. It was younger individuals who used personal ads because in the 1970s, people were getting married younger and if a person had not met a partner in high school or college they would turn to personal ads. But since the days of personal ads, online dating now allows a user to provide more information without the character limits of personal ads (Finkel et al., 2012).
So why is there now this stigma towards people online dating, especially the younger population? It is most likely due to the stereotypes of online dating being for middle-aged people who never married and other stereotypes of the same sort.
People who use online dating sites can also be seen as "desperate" to find someone. This is one of the many misconceptions about online dating and who uses online dating sites. This article on Match.com talks about 5 common misconceptions about online dating that stops people from using them to find a partner. Along with that article, this article from The Gazette addresses multiple point of views that individuals hold towards online dating whether they be positive or negative.
So why is there now this stigma towards people online dating, especially the younger population? It is most likely due to the stereotypes of online dating being for middle-aged people who never married and other stereotypes of the same sort.
People who use online dating sites can also be seen as "desperate" to find someone. This is one of the many misconceptions about online dating and who uses online dating sites. This article on Match.com talks about 5 common misconceptions about online dating that stops people from using them to find a partner. Along with that article, this article from The Gazette addresses multiple point of views that individuals hold towards online dating whether they be positive or negative.