Online dating across the lifespan


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jayjay is offline jayjay Post #1  October 1,2010, 6:11am
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...things seem to have gotten quiet around here.

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This is from a research article titled "Partner preferences across the lifespan: Online dating by older adults." Does this sound like your experience with online dating?

"Stereotypes of older adults as withdrawn or asexual fail to recognize that romantic relationships in later life are increasingly common. The authors analyzed 600 Internet personal ads from 4 age groups: 20–34, 40–54, 60–74, and 75+ years. Predictions from evolutionary theory held true in later life, when reproduction is no longer a concern. Across the life span, men sought physical attractiveness and offered status-related information more than women; women were more selective than men and sought status more than men. With age, men desired women increasingly younger than themselves, whereas women desired older men until ages 75 and over, when they sought men younger than themselves."
 
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tweet37 is offline tweet37 Post #2  October 1,2010, 6:25am
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OK all that seems about right, but I have a question about the women being more selective than men - like in what respects? Attractiveness? Financial stability?

And I would certainly agree with the over-75 group seeking someone younger. Right now I'm afraid to visualize what sex with a 75 year old woman would look like. And I'm sure women probably feel the same way.
 
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jcd1968 is offline jcd1968 Post #3  October 1,2010, 6:27am
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This research can't be true. There is too much anecdotal information to the contrary on these boards.
 
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VB_Girl is offline VB_Girl Post #4  October 1,2010, 6:38am
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Having only experienced online dating in the second age group (and hope not to get to this point with the following age groups ), I'd have to say that I haven't experience the things mentioned in the article.

I've usually been attracted to younger guys, but am currently dating an older man .. not sure 1 year really qualifies though. I will agree that I'm very picky although I'm not sure if I'm more selective than men.
 
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jayjay is offline jayjay Post #5  October 1,2010, 6:54am
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...things seem to have gotten quiet around here.

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jcd1968 wrote :
This research can't be true. There is too much anecdotal information to the contrary on these boards.
With regard to which things (or are you being sarcastic)?
 
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jcd1968 is offline jcd1968 Post #6  October 1,2010, 7:07am
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jayjay wrote :
With regard to which things (or are you being sarcastic)?
Oh, I was being very sarcastic. I'm just in that mood today.

jayjay wrote :
Across the life span, men sought physical attractiveness and offered status-related information more than women; women were more selective than men and sought status more than men.
There are, of course, exceptions to every rule, but I find the above to be fairly representative of male/female attraction - whether it's in real life or on-line. Men do seek physical attractiveness and present themselves as having a desirable status. Women do seek men with status and will select prospects who have more of the "status" they, personally, desire.

I think it is interesting how vehemently people try to deny this. Lori's recent thread regarding a potential partner's occupation - to me - illustrates this very well.
 
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jayjay is offline jayjay Post #7  October 1,2010, 7:08am
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...things seem to have gotten quiet around here.

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tweet37 wrote :
OK all that seems about right, but I have a question about the women being more selective than men - like in what respects? Attractiveness? Financial stability?
I can't answer that at the moment as I don't have the full text of the article, but I have requested it.
 
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Wiseman2 is offline Wiseman2 Post #8  October 1,2010, 10:43am
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It makes sense. Mate selection is hard wired even long after reproduction is not a concern. As far as 75+ for women, maybe they don't want to nurse someone? as far as increasingly younger, the difference between 20 and 35 seems greater than 30 and 45.
jayjay wrote :
Across the life span, men sought physical attractiveness and offered status-related information more than women; women were more selective than men and sought status more than men. With age, men desired women increasingly younger than themselves, whereas women desired older men until ages 75 and over, when they sought men younger than themselves."
 
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AndieIsMe is online now AndieIsMe — Advice Member-Moderator Post #9  October 1,2010, 11:44am
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I would think the older women (75+) would be seeking younger mates because there are fewer men in that age range. Women do tend to live longer than men, so I think that would just be an availability issue, not really a choice.
 
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TheThinker is offline TheThinker Post #10  October 1,2010, 12:06pm
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jayjay wrote :
This is from a research article titled "Partner preferences across the lifespan: Online dating by older adults." Does this sound like your experience with online dating?

"Stereotypes of older adults as withdrawn or asexual fail to recognize that romantic relationships in later life are increasingly common. The authors analyzed 600 Internet personal ads from 4 age groups: 20–34, 40–54, 60–74, and 75+ years. Predictions from evolutionary theory held true in later life, when reproduction is no longer a concern. Across the life span, men sought physical attractiveness and offered status-related information more than women; women were more selective than men and sought status more than men. With age, men desired women increasingly younger than themselves, whereas women desired older men until ages 75 and over, when they sought men younger than themselves."
so what I'm getting from this is: "same ole..same ole"..peoples' desires don't change and neither do their criteria..no matter what age.
I think it holds true for "off line" dating for older adults..not sure about online(yet)
*shrugs*
Last edited by TheThinker; October 1,2010 at 12:10pm.
 
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