While many people think of dating services as just that—an easy way to find a date—online dating has established itself as a legitimate relationship maker. Increasingly, singles are using the Internet to seek out that special someone for the long-term. For those who shun singles bars and the dating scene, meeting someone virtually can forgo much of the uncomfortable aspects of dating.
According to a survey conducted at Match.com, the nation's largest dating site, a half-million new members register each month, and 6 million profiles are viewed every day. The success rate is equally impressive. Some 7,000 people leave the service each month because they found someone.
Helen Friedman, Ph.D., an associate clinical professor at St. Louis University School of Medicine, says the traditional way of meeting someone in person may be better, but it may no longer be practical. "Society is less of a community than it was 20 years ago," she says. "People have less leisure time and advances in technology have separated them."
