Looking for Love

American Demographics, Feb 1, 2002

For singles on the prowl, potential dates abound. In fact, 98 million Americans (46 percent of the population age 15 and older) are currently unattached and available.superscript 1 However, single men may stand a better chance of hooking up: 54 percent of all women in the U.S. are single, compared with 46 percent of men. Many singles seem to be looking in new places, with about 22 percent taking the hunt online.superscript 2 And it's more than a fling that they're in the mood for: Over half of singles who use online dating services (53 percent) say they have their sights set on a long-term commitment or marriage.

Once they find it, though, they may be in for a shock. An August 2001 Reader's Digest poll of 1,000 married adults found that almost 4 in 10 men (38 percent) wish they could ask their spouse to be more affectionate. Lack of trust is also an issue: 42 percent of men and 36 percent of women in the study said they had kept a secret from their spouse. Then there are the 16 percent of husbands and wives who say they've sometimes wished they could wake up one morning and suddenly not be married anymore. So much for living happily ever after.

superscript 1U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, March 2000

superscript 2American Demographics/Harris Interactive, April 2001

LONELY-HEARTS

There are some 98 million singles in America (ages 15 and older).

WAITING GAME

How long would you wait after a good date to contact the other person?

GIFT LIST

What women want for Valentine's Day:

FULLY COMMITTED*

Forty-four percent of all online singles seek a long-term commitment or marriage, while only 39 percent of single males seek such a commitment.

NOT ALL IT'S CRACKED UP TO BE

Percent who agree that being in love

MEET MARKET

Where do you usually meet the people you date?