Single and looking for love?
If you have yet to meet you dream man (or woman!), chances are you might just have been looking in all the wrong places.
At least that what this
new study is suggesting.
According to findings by Stanford University and sociologist Michael Rosenfeld, graphs and data pulled from dating websites around the world show that the
way we meet romantic partners is drastically changing. In fact, the researchers pointed out that while couples
used to meet in multiple settings (at church, during high school, in the office), there are now only
three major places where you're likely to meet your future boyfriend or girlfriend.
Curious where you should start looking? Here is what the study concluded with:
Good: Online
Does this surprise you? When researchers studied how heterosexual American couples met from 1940–2009, it's not all that surprising that the biggest growth area was online dating, surely? Add to that the rise of Tinder of the last couple of years, and we are pretty sure those stats will read even higher.
Bad: Through Co-Workers
Back in the early 1990s, the second most common way couples met was in the workplace. But it seems office romance is a dying thing, as according to the study, co-worker romance is now in sharp decline.
Good: Via Mutual Friends
The majority of couples still meet through mutual friends (nawhhh!) but this trend is also dramatically changing. In fact, the last two decades have seen a steep decline in couples meeting via people the know (which really gives singles a fully fledged scientific reason they don't want to be set up!)
Bad: In College
The chances of finding a college sweetheart (all the range back in the day) are getting slim. The study saw a steady decline in long-lasting college romances since 1940 up until the present day.
Good: At a Bar or Restaurant
Meeting your future significant other during a night out is now the second most popular way to find love. And the most interesting news? Unlike most of the other findings, this area of finding love is on the rise (whoo-hoo!), suggesting that after online dating, one of the most surefire ways to find love is over a cocktail or a good meal. Cheers to that!
Where did YOU meet your significant other? Let us know in the comments or tweet us at @Herfamilydotie
