“Given the likelihood an individual online date will not lead to a long-term relationship, .. .”
My son signed up on one of those dating sites, first time he did that. Met someone the first two weeks, dated for a year and now they are getting married in a few months. She is beautiful, genuine, smart. . .heck, we’ve told our son if they break up we are dropping him and keeping her. Hah.
I have not tracked the stats regarding long term relationships resulting from on-line dating websites, so his experience may be unquie.
My nephew is an automotive engineer, and met someone through a dating site. He was not looking for serial shack-ups but instead for a wife with whom he was compatible. As an engineer he was quite specific who he was looking for. And after dating for about two or three years, they were married three months ago. She is an absolutely wonderful gal. So used properly, the dating sites can cut down on the costs of traditional “trial and error” dating.
Congratulations!
My stepmother met her second husband on one of those online dating sites.
Online dating sites, like "singles events" only work if you know yourself and what you're looking for, and you're coming with a set of rules or criteria. You are not there just to "hang out" online or make it a substitute for marriage. Basically, you are there with a purpose.