Adult Singles

In the 1950s world of Ward and June Cleaver, people got married young. Being single past the age of thirty was considered worthy of pity. These days, times have changed. High divorce rates have rendered many of these people single, and more and more people are choosing to either marry later in life or never marry. The mental picture of adult singles has transformed from the 1970s leisure-suited, big ugly gold medallion wearing, bad toupee-toting forty-something, to the glamorous gals of “Sex and the City.”

Adult singles, either by choice or circumstance, have foregone or sacrificed the comfort and security of marriage for the freedom of single life. Adult singles are generally divided into “single and looking” and “single and not looking.” Either can mean a number of different things. Single and looking typically means that the person is either actively seeking, or open to the idea of, a permanent relationship. Single and not looking doesn’t necessarily mean that the person isn’t willing to date, just that they aren’t terribly interested in a permanent relationship at that particular time.
The lifestyle of adult singles depends partly on whether or not they have been married before, and partly on whether or not they have kids. There are other things that impact their lifestyle, obviously, but these two are massively influential. Adult singles who have been married seem to go in one of two directions—either they are feeling a great deal of urgency to find another permanent relationship, or they are utterly fed up and frustrated with long term relationships and are out to party, date and have fun.

Adult singles who have children at home necessarily have a more difficult and regimented lifestyle. After all, the main focus of their life is their child until the child is old enough to get out into the world on his or her own. This does not mean that adult singles with children have to give up on having a life, however. It is entirely possible for singles with children to date. However, they must take a more disciplined approach to time management in order to free up time for dating. The adult single with children will need to make sure to find a good enough babysitter or a friend or relative to ride herd on the kids while they are out on a date.

Adult singles can meet in a great many ways. If you are pressed for time, or just interested in efficiency, you can try using the Internet to meet other singles. A more casual and friendly, less workmanlike way to meet other singles is to take a class designed for adults. Every community has classes designed for adults. If you choose to go this route you should consider a class, like wine tasting or cooking that involves group participation and mingling. One advantage of the classroom route is that you aren’t there specifically to seek dates, yet everyone has his or her dating radar up—there’s no pressure, but plenty of opportunity.