Match.com's 2015 'Singles In America' Study Smashes Stereotypes

For half a decade, Match.com has celebrated dating with America’s most comprehensive study on singles. This year's annual analysis surveyed 5,600 singles from all ages, ethnicities, incomes and walks of life. What it found is a new dating landscape that's laying tired stereotypes to rest.

The days of macho men and dependent women are history. Men are increasingly seeking out independent female partners and women are setting the tone in relationships. The 'Singles in America' study calls it “The Clooney Effect.” According to the study, the majority of single women in 2015:

• Want a partner with a sense of independence (89%)
• Want a partner with the same level of intelligence (86%)
• Think it's ok to casually date more than one person at a time (74%)
• Are not willing to support a partner financially (55%)
• Seek a partner who's comfortable with their sexuality (94%)
• Would not likely date someone who's less intellectual (61%)

Over on Mars, the survey found that single men in 2015:

• Would date a woman who makes more money (87%)
• Are ok with a woman asking them out (90%)
• Would date someone who's more educated (87%)
• Would date someone who is more intellectual (87%)
• Would date someone who's considerably taller (58%)
• Want a confident and self-assured woman (86%)

It's not just relations between the sexes that have changed. Our perception of online dating itself has evolved drastically since it debuted back it the 20^th century. Then, online daters were heavily stigmatized. Today, online daters are more likely than offline daters to: have a full-time job, seek a committed relationship, have a Bachelor's degree or above, and be interested in marriage. Online daters also go on significantly more dates than singles who aren't so tech-savvy.

Naturally, the explosive expansion of online dating has changed the way we court each other. Singles are finding new ways to flirt with technology – whether it's a winking emoticon, "liking" a photo, or leaving a post on a Facebook wall.

These days, dating looks something like this:

• 50% of singles think having coffee together is an official date
• 51% research a new date on Facebook
• 30% use Skype or FaceTime to communicate with a date

And flirting looks like this:

• 46% of single men have sent a sexually explicit message to someone
• 35% of single women have done the same
• 36% have sent a sexy photo to someone

As for emojis, we love them because they show personality, make it easier to express feelings, and are more convenient than typing a Shakespearean love sonnet. But if texting sonnets is what sets you and your love's hearts a-flutter... keep doing your Elizabethan thing. For more information on the online dating service which commissioned the study, please read our Match.com review.