Results from the Elle/MSNBC Survey on Online Dating -Finally!
Over a year ago now, I told my readers about an online survey by Elle magazine and MSNBC for adults on Internet dating experiences. I know that at least some of my folks zipped over and participated in the research. Then, both the survey disappeared (it was only up for two weeks) and I couldn’t find anything about the results. So the other day, I was tracking down hyperlinks, and low and behold, came across articles in Elle about the survey. Hooray! I’ll be writing about it here now and in the next few blog entries.
15,246 people participated, of which 3/4 were men. That’s a bit surprising, since the survey was sponsored by a women’s magazine. Average age: Men 38, women 34. According to the survey, both men and women are see positive results from their online dating efforts: 44% of the women and 33% of the men report more dates, more sex, and more lasting love. Interestingly, the survey’s author Janet Lever says that women, particularly those over 40, are having the best luck. More than a quarter of women over 40 are finding a mate through their online dating efforts.
That observation also fits with what I have seen: for older women raised with traditional gender role expectations (women sit and wait for men to make the moves), the level playing field of Internet dating sites is tremendously liberating. Not only can women make the first moves, men seem to appreciate it. Yea all around!
