Older brides
The divorce rate in the UK is on the rise. In 2016, there were 106,959 opposite-sex marriages, an increase of 5.8%.
Statistics reveal that couples older than 50 years old are most likely to divorce.
Rising life expectancy
After becoming widowed, it’s possible they have another 10 or 20 years of life ahead and would like to share them with someone. The number of people aged 65 or older who are employed is also higher than ever. It means that people are financially independent and can divorce their spouses.
There is life after love.
According to a study, the number of brides and grooms over 65 years old has increased by 46% from 2004 to 2014. Nearly all (92%) brides and grooms who were 65 or older in 2014 were divorced, widowed, and not having their first marriage.
This shows people are willing and able to move on from a relationship that ends even if this happens in the later years.
This age group is also home to many singles. Women in their early fifties have increased by 150% between 2002 and 2015. Men in this age group grew by 70%.
Online dating
Online dating is no longer just for tech-savvy twentysomethings. The Median Age is currently 38. Older adults are joining the trend to find their special someone. Online dating allows people with similar interests to connect.
The download of apps makes online dating more accessible. While the volume of searches for “online dating sites” dropped by 20 percent between February 2015 and February 2018, searches for “dating apps” rose by nearly 50 percent.
Many people view online dating as a safe way to get to know someone better without having to speak to them. This is especially important for someone who has been married their entire life and may be nervous about meeting people.
Online networking can help older people find companionship and develop into something more. Online networking can provide a solution to loneliness for older adults. 12 % of those over 65 said they met someone online.
It’s easy for us to predict the rise of online dating as millennials get older. One study conducted by eHarmony indicated that online dating would be used by older people by 2050. The study shows that by 2050, the average age of online daters will be 47 years old and that 82% of people find their partner through online dating.
Change of opinion
Could our changing attitudes towards separation be driving the divorce rates and encouraging a third (or fourth) love? In a YouGov survey of 2,000 British citizens, it was found that almost two-thirds don’t believe that ending a relationship is stigmatized.
In the past, it was more common to have religious beliefs and to be against divorce and remarriage. Couples were expected to spend their entire lives with the person they married. Only 4% of those surveyed strongly agree that divorce is now a taboo. Separation is now accepted, and it’s normal to start dating again after a marriage.
It’s never too early to fall in love, as we can see! Separated people can find new love more easily with online dating. A changing attitude means that people are more accepting of second loves.
