The Evolution of Free Online Dating Site

Did you know that there are now over a thousand dating
sites in the internet earning over 900 million in annual revenue today? These
sites have as many as tens of millions of members. Some of these sites are even
specialized to fit your religious beliefs, race, values system and location.
But before this trend of finding your life partner through a free online dating site, what was it
like for people without the internet or modern technology to try to find
relationships?

 

There
is always the usual face-to-face and personal courtship or dating. But there
are also some indirect means of dating which resembles a free online dating site. Here is a short timeline of the evolution
of this trend.

 

Tribal and Country Alliances

 

Long
before the existence of a free online
dating site, a lot of young people met through family acquaintances. They
were often introduced by a third party who “matches” the background of two
acquainted or unacquainted families. From here, the couple meets and explores
the possibility of getting married. Other marriages might be arranged according
to the decisions of the parents.

 

On a
larger scale, marriages or unions among two people might be done in order to
forge alliances between two tribes or countries. This is how two strangers who
might not even know each others’ name often end up getting married.

 

Matrimonial Agencies

 

            As industrialization occurred and people’s lives
improved, more means for meeting singles (other than those from your own neighborhood)
became available. One example of this is matrimonial agencies, existent as
early as 1700s.

 

A
matrimonial agency like a free online
dating site because it publishes pictures and some details (name, age and
interests) of singles looking for potential life partners in print. Interested
parties may respond by calling the person or meeting up with them.

 

Singles Club

 

            During the late 1900s, Singles Clubs became a fad.
This is an avenue where singles can get together and mingle. They hold activities
that fit their common interests and become a site where people can meet
like-minded individuals and possibly form friendships or romantic relationships
with them.

 

A
variation of this is Speed Dating. In this venue, you can approach any person
you are interested in and chat with them, perhaps exchange numbers and other
information as well. These are like “winking” at or messaging a person in a free online dating site to grab their
attention.

 

Matchmakers

 

Up
until the 20^th century, young people are often subject to parents’
plans and wishes for them. Here is where matchmakers come in. They often show
parents the pictures of potential sons/daughters-in-law together with
credentials. It reminds one of applying for a job complete with resume
submissions and referrals.

 

The Present

 

            Nowadays, a free
online dating site offers the possibility of
getting to know, communicating with and forming a relationship with a person
from a different location. Indeed, technology does bring people closer
together.