***Does Online Dating Lead To Marriage?

By America’s #1 Love and Marriage Experts. Oh, the times, they are a-changing! This refrain is from a very famous Peter, Paul, and Mary song. And the truth is, people are finding love in different ways than they did is year’s past. Online dating is a reality today. According to recent estimates – and we think they are pretty credible – one in eight couples who got married last year met online. Some think the number is closer to one in four. However, we see no evidence that this is the case. One in eight is much more likely to be true. So here is the important question – is it appropriate and safe to meet online? Here is what we have learned. First, there are lots of on-line dating services on the Internet. Try this experiment – Google “online dating” or some similarly related notion. You will be astounded by the number of services available on-line. Be you Christian, Jewish, Muslim, African-American, Russian, Asian, Caucasian, or any other ethnic or religious group of your persuasion, there is a dating service for you! Check it out. There seems to be something for everyone. Judging which dating services would be okay for you is not a simple thing to do. Which leads us to the second major issue regarding online dating that may lead to marriage. Is it safe? Are there some basic “rules” you should follow when engaging in this activity? The answer is YES! If you were to Google “on-line safety tips,” you will find many sources of information regarding the do’s and don’ts of online dating. Some of these websites are very good. Others – not so much. While there are many good ones, we have found the insights provided at simple things do matter. By Dr. Charles D. Schmitz and Dr. Elizabeth A. Schmitz Authors of Golden Anniversaries: The Seven Secrets of Successful Marriage Winner of the INDIE Book Awards GOLD Medal for Best Relationship Book Winner of the 2009 Mom’s Choice Awards GOLD Medal for Most Outstanding Relationships and Marriage Book 2009 Nautilus Book Awards Winner for Relationships