Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see over 50s dating. The days when ‘later-lifers’ going on dates was frowned upon are happily past, and many mature singles find new relationship opportunities even in their later years. However, senior dating is not entirely similar to the style of dating carried out by younger generations. While defined through the same term, and sharing many of the same traits, over 50s dating has a number of particularities which not all relationships entered by younger singles will necessarily have. The lines below list some of them.
More Serious
The trope of an older lady or gentlemen embarking in countless successive relationships with much younger partners is just that: a trope, with little basis in reality. In fact, real life mature singles tend to be looking for the exact opposite: long-term, serious relationships with like-minded partners, which will help lend companionship to their later life. While this is also a common objective for many younger daters, it tends to be somewhat more universal in senior dating.
Faster-Moving
Paradoxically, a faster progression of events is another aspect separating over 50s dating from its equivalent among younger generations. While the greater life experience of mature singles might lead some to think they would be more reserved and guarded, the fact is senior relationships tend to progress from their initial stages to more serious territory quicker. This is helped, to a large extent, by the fact that mature men and women tend to know what they are looking for when embarking in senior dating, making the transition much quicker and smoother than with less assured younger daters.
Different Focus
Finally, seniors tend to value different traits in a partner when opposed to younger people. Personality, ideals and values will generally be more important than looks, lifestyle or goals, even though those elements are still present to a certain extent. There are, of course, other elements setting senior dating apart from its ‘younger’ equivalent; the ones listed above are, however, perhaps the most significant, justifying their inclusion in this article.