Pros and cons of online dating

Experiences with online dating¹ tend to be mixed. Some people have excellent experiences with online dating that end in satisfying relationships². Others have stories filled with³ confusion and frustration. Thus⁴, like any other way to date, meeting someone online has both benefits and drawbacks⁵. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons⁶ of online dating:

1) Access

Pros: Online dating provide⁷ individuals with access to many more potential partners⁸ than they could find in their daily lives. This is especially true for individuals interested in partners of a particular type, orientation, lifestyle⁹, or in isolated areas.
Cons: The choices¹⁰ of partners can become¹¹ confusing and overwhelming¹². Without a clear plan, online daters¹³ can get stuck endlessly¹⁴ looking for the perfect partner, rather than¹⁵ actually¹⁶ starting a satisfying relationship.

2) Matching¹⁷

Pros: Many online dating sites offer various types of personality testing and matching. Such¹⁸ matching can help guide individuals toward¹⁹ dating partners who may be²⁰ more compatible.
Cons: Matching is a difficult process and testing may not be accurate²¹ for everyone. In addition²², people may present differently in person or change over time. So, matching may overlook²³ potentially good partners in the process.

3) Communication

Pros: Online dating offers a number of ways to get to know²⁴ a potential date before meeting in person. Such computer communication allows²⁵ a safe²⁶ and convenient interaction, without much risk or time commitment²⁷. Such communication is an excellent way to "test" potential partners.

Cons: Communication through computers is lacking²⁸ some of the information provided in face-to-face interaction. As a result, it is harder to evaluate a potential match online. Also, some of the cues²⁹ that build attraction (like touching) cannot be accomplished³⁰ through a computer. So,  computer communication may have an artificial and unemotional quality.

Conclusion

Overall³¹, it is important to remember that online dating is best used as a resource³² to meet individuals for eventual face-to-face dating. Keeping that goal in mind³³ will prevent you from getting stuck on the drawbacks and limitations of dating online.

So, if you get confused, the best next step is always to move an interaction toward a date. If you are overwhelmed with access to too many choices, then find a way to narrow them down³⁴ and find better matches³⁵.

If you don't know what to do with a potential match, send them a quick communication. If you get frustrated with talking online, then suggest a meeting in person. Follow³⁶ that process and you will more easily find a satisfying connection online and face-to-face too.

Vocabulary

1.    Dating = namoro

2.    satisfying relationships = relacionamentos satisfatorios

3.    filled with = cheio de

4.    Thus = Assim, desta forma

5.    both benefits and drawbacks = tanto vantagens quanto desvantagens

6.    pros and cons = prós e contras

7.    provide = prover, fornecer

8.    potential partners = parceiros potenciais

9.    lifestyle = estilo de vida

10. choices = escolhas

11. can become = pode tornar-se

12. overwhelming = devastador, arrasador

13. daters = namorados

14. get stuck endlessly = ficam presos indefinidamente

15. rather than = ao invés de

16. actually = na verdade

17. Matching = correspondência, combinação

18. Such = tal

19. Toward  = em direção a

20. who may be = que podem ser

21. accurate = preciso, exato

22. In addition = além disso

23. Overlook = negligenciar

24. ways to get to know = formas de vir a conhecer

25. allows = permite

26. safe = seguro(a)

27. commitment = compromisso

28. lacking = carecendo de

29. cues = pistas

30. cannot be accomplished = não podem ser realizadas

31. Overall = Em geral

32. Resource = recurso

33. Keeping that goal in mind = mantendo este objetivo em mente

34. find a way to narrow them down = encontre uma forma de restrigi-los

35. matches = matches

36. Follow = siga