Online daters show more love to single parents
New eharmony survey finds over half of male online daters would happily match with a single mum
52% of surveyed male online daters would be happy to pursue a relationship with someone who has children
Six-out-of-10 (61%) of female online daters perceive single dads positively – considering them more likely to be able to commit to a relationship
63% of Aussie single parents believe it would be easier to date someone who also has children from a previous relationship
70% of single parents would expect a new partner to act as a role model for their children.
For single parents, the idea of dating (again) can feel daunting, but new research commissioned by eharmony reveals that having children doesn't need to be a barrier to finding love. In fact, over 70% of online daters say they wouldn't be deterred by a potential partner having children.
eharmony's survey also provided insights into the vulnerabilities and challenges that single parents face in 2023, with the rising cost of living encroaching on their day-to-day lifestyle and, in turn, budget for romance.
Finding the one when you've got kids
The good news for single mums is, more than half (52%) of surveyed males said they would happily date someone with children and (53%) didn't believe children from a previous relationship would cause issues in a new relationship.
Comparatively, women were slightly more wary, with just under half (47%) feeling children from a previous relationship could cause issues in a new one. However, 61% of women felt active single dads would be more likely to commit to a relationship.
About three-fifths (63%) of single parents believe it would be easier to date someone who also had children.
Future expectations
The vast majority (80%) of respondents said they'd be comfortable having a role in the lives of any children their new partner has from a previous relationship. Only 12% thought they'd struggle with not being the main priority of a partner who has children.
Of the participants who have had relationships with single parents, big issues included unclear parenting boundaries for new partners, differing parenting styles, and children and the new partner not getting along.
Finding love time-effective and compatible
Other recurring themes were single parents' lack of 'spare time' and the challenge of juggling all their responsibilities while also trying to meet, and establish a relationship with, a compatible partner.
Such sentiments reinforce why eharmony has become the preferred online dating platform for many Aussie single parents who recognise the benefits of the app's unique Compatibility Matching tools and questionnaires that delve into personality and values, which enable matches that have stronger potential to grow into healthy, lasting relationships.
eharmony psychologist Sharon Draper said:
"There's often a belief that men and women without children aren't interested in dating people who have children from a past relationship. But, as the new survey results show, the vast majority – more than 70% – aren't deterred by a potential partner's kids and most are happy to play a part in children's lives as the partnership develops.
"It's not surprising we see single mums, especially, really struggling to meet someone compatible. The responsibility of raising children often falls on them when couples separate, which means they are the ones who need to organise any potential dating within the confines of work hours and available childcare options.
"Given that children tend to monopolise a single parent's time, it can be very difficult for single parents to justify spending their 'free time' going on dates with people who might be a 'maybe' at best. These women and men don't want to hang around bars or waste their Saturday nights with people they won't ever want to see again.
"On many dating apps it's hard to tell who is genuinely serious about finding a long-term partner and those who are purely interested in shallow traits such as physical attractiveness.
"The extensive questionnaire answered by eharmony members is used for our unique Compatibility Matching System, so people are matched using personality, outlooks and values rather than something as superficial as looks."
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