Grownups Are Looking for Love (But Maybe Not Marriage)

Many Gen Xers and boomers are single and ready to mingle, but boomers are looking more for companionship rather than marriage, finds the results of a new survey from AARP.

The online survey of 1,482 single men and woman aged 38 and older found that 78 percent of Gen Xers and 62 percent of boomers are open to dating if they are not currently in a relationship. But both groups found meeting a compatible mate challenging, especially with newer technology including the popularity of online dating.

One male Gen Xer survey recipient noted, “Dating in today’s world is difficult. Too many people are looking for random hookups and not interested in a relationship.”

Other survey results:

• Friends make the best matchmakers, with chance meetings coming in second.
• The terms “girlfriend” and “boyfriend” are used by both generations of daters.
• Most opt for traditional first-date outings of dinner, lunch or coffee, but Gen Xers are also game for unique outings and experiences.
• At the start of a relationship Gen Xers are twice as likely to text a romantic interest than boomers.

For more on the dating behaviors of Generation X and boomers, read the full study results.