Seems the dating habits of baby boomers are worth studying by companies that court our “healthy, wealthy, well-educated” demographic. But, of course! Last month the Del Webb active adult retirement community powerhouse released its latest findings about our mature singles dating and relationship habits. Ready?
The survey found:
- 56 percent (ages 50 to 75) are “open to dating”: That means the other half are not!
- 46 percent of divorced singles want a companion—but not to remarry
- 64 percent of young boomers (50 to 59) want to date, marry or find companionship
About those gender and age differences:
- 22 percent of women want to date a younger or “much younger” man
- 31 percent of males 70 and older want to date a much younger woman
- 44 percent want to date someone their own age
- 53 percent of single female boomers want to date someone their own age
- 63 percent of men want to date younger or “much younger” women (Aha!)
How we meet people
This may surprise you, as it did me. Traditional ways of meeting trumped non-traditional:
- 66 percent rely on friends and family (Really?)
- 56 percent use social activities and clubs
- 45 percent utilize church
and…
- 21 percent use dance clubs, bars and restaurants
- Only 18 percent used online dating. This shocks me: Take a look at this Mind Your Body TV video with Dr. Tina Tessina and another with dating expert Bobbi Palmer. Both talk about boomers and dating and share excellent how-to tips.
- 17 percent use the workplace
To be single or mingle?
In the survey, participants cited reasons why being single is great:
- 81 percent love having freedom to do what they want
- 34 percent of women like not having to clean up after someone else
- 17 percent like having the bed to themselves: In my case, anyone has to share with me AND a couple of cats!
To see the survey PDF, click here.
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(Photo courtesy: © Dawn Hudson | Dreamstime Stock Photos)