We're in the midst of a raging recession with global reach. The economists are speculating on the possibility of a "double dip" recession. People have lost jobs, homes, cars other property and the like, marriages are strained under the weight of mounting debts and other economic problems.
But there is one "industry' that is defying the economic gloom and doom and according to a report I heard about on Fox News, that would be the online matchmaking services. Some of the dating sites are reporting double digit increases in the number of new members. They describe the pace at which people are trying to find a new partner as "frenzied."
It seems that, despite the sometimes high monthly cost, people want to reach out to one another and be together. In other words, they don't want to go through this economic downturn by themselves.
Unfortunately, many of these people are lonely and not seeking a partner from a godly standpoint, as in seeking their lifelong soul-mate, partner, fellow worshiper, lover and co-parent. In fact, I believe many of these people are looking for someone to "hook up with." Some of them will marry after many years of getting to "know" each other, in the biblical sense, prior to marriage.
People are social creatures, they need to interact with other people. Despite the economy, people interviewed state the need to connect and not face all this uncertainty by themselves; but they also mention the advantage of having an almost unlimited number of potential partners to interact with so they can weed out the incompatible (the goldigger, psycho, etc.).
Through an online dating site, they have more information on a potential mate than they otherwise would meeting someone at work or from a chance encounter at the laundromat.
One can sympathize as these are lonely people who want companionship, and to share expenses in these difficult times. But it is better to be alone than to be with the wrong person. No matter how bad the economy is, a relationship started out of loneliness, desperation, or a desire to share expenses will not last in the long run.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife (or husband). (Proverbs 21:9, NIV)
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E. Umana is an article author and blog owner whose articles on marriage and Internet marketing appear all over the Internet. Visit his Christian blog, Christian Marriage Works and download his ebook 12 Marriage Killers to discover how to spot the behaviors that couples engage in that can create conflict and destroy a marriage.
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