Meeting someone is only half the battle.
The story doesn't end when you find the magic profile that catches your eye. And let's be honest, the next part is just as confusing - if not more confusing - than the first part. A whole new set of questions arises the moment you decide to get more serious.
Should you have sex before marriage? Will your friends and family like your partner? Do their opinions even matter? And what makes a relationship last?
The State Of Dating In America report from ChristianMingle and JDate has the answers.
When asked "Would you have sex before marriage?"...
- More than half of all singles say they would have sex before marriage without conditions.
- Men are more likely to say they're comfortable with it.
- Only 15% of singles say they would not have sex at all before marriage.
- Younger singles are more likely to feel they need to be in love in order to have sex before marriage.
- Singles in the 35- to 44-year-old range are least likely to feel that commitment is a prerequisite to sex.
The responses to "How much influence do the following individuals have on whom you date?" reveal that...
- "Friends" and "Mother" are the most popular dating consultants for singles.
- "Father" and "Siblings" are the next most popular.
- "Pets" have a greater influence than "Other family!"
- Men tend to turn to their mothers first, then their friends. Women tend to turn to their friends first, then their mothers.
- Singles ages 18-34 are far more likely to let immediate family and friends influence who they date.
And when it comes to marriage...
- Mothers have the greatest influence on who 18- to 24-year-olds will marry, followed by fathers and friends.
- Overall, singles ages 45-59 are least likely to let outside forces influence who they will marry.
Believe it or not, there are no significant differences between men and women when it comes to the most important factors in a lasting commitment. Both agree that the keys to a successful relationship are:
- Partner's family treats me well (92%)
- Similar views on pets (89%)
- Likes same activities (85%)
- Similar political views (84%)
- Similar views on smoking (84%)
- Similar social habits (82%)
- Same race/ethnicity (79%)
- Same level of cleanliness (78%)
- Same level of physical activity (74%)
- Good sexual chemistry (72%)
Would anyone have guessed that pets have a greater influence over long-term relationships than good sex?!