Unfortunately, many churches don't work that well as places to meet, either. Speaking as someone who is Catholic and will always be Catholic, I can't just go church shopping, and the vast majority of parishes have nothing at all for single folks to do. Some have singles groups, but the few I've actually had something to do with were a) not really Catholic and b) were mostly made up of women. After Mass? Doesn't happen - everyone cuts and runs. And at the smaller Byzantine Catholic parish I've been attending, I'm the only single woman there who's under the age of, say, forty. No single guys, except for ones older than my dad.
Sometimes feels as though any Catholic woman who was unfortunate enough to miss out on a Catholic college experience for any reason whatsoever is just outta luck when it comes to meeting a good man - someone who actually wants a family and to really live their faith and all. Gosh knows I've wanted that since I was eighteen or so, but meeting the right someone seems like a big mystery to me. Two of my siblings are now married, but for each, it took almost a miracle for them to find their current spouses.
I guess I just keep waitin' on my miracle and trying to do my best, but these threads sure can get a decent gal down...
You can just be who you are. I suspect that I'm one who's viewed as a woman basher, but I don't think I am.
I believe that the legal system and societal attitudes are really stacked against men. Feminists have sought to change the balance of power in relationships between men and women, if you will, and they have been spectacularly successful. They've also lied to women. I believe they seek a fundamental reordering of society, and they're achieving it.
The deadbeat dad...the abusive male...they're cliches, but powerful ones. I've seen a statistic that 70% of divorce is initiated by wives, and I believe it. During my own divorce I had three other friends who were also getting divorced. Each of them were accused of not only being abusive, but of molesting their children. I wasn't, but my ex-wife made it clear that she would "do what she had to do." (her words, not mine.)
Those accusations get husbands and fathers 1) thrown out of the house 2) removed from any presence with their children 3) investigated.
Does physical and child abuse happen? Sure. The accusations fundamentally change the playing field, the relationship between parents, and between non-custodial parents and their children. No due process is necessary; the statement about concern will get the restraining order issued, and a mere accusation of child abuse will get a father removed from their children's presence. Many parent-child relationships, unfortunately, never survive that.
Does this make women evil? Of course not; they're human. We as a society tend to forgive their emotional acting out, especially mothers. It doesn't make them bad, it makes them human; give them a club to use, and you've got a good chance they will use it. It's just human nature. I don't blame women, I blame laws and courts and politicians. Men effectively have one option...whether to subject themselves to it, or not. That's the world you, an undoubtedly good hearted person, seek a mate in.
It won't change unless you speak up. Men have been marginalized in the debate.