What about mature children who imagine they know whats best for their single parents and do everything possible to retain exclusivity with mum or dad?

“ to thine own self be true”, stick to your guns and don’t every your self short. There are many people out there that can meet your needs and share beliefs. Wheathertexting and / or getting comfortable. I have been working for years and meet people all the time and the Sierra club is an example of like interests

I thought dating after 30 was bad!

Have you given any serious consideration toward bestiality?

Oh wait, that's a guy thing. Never mind...

Dating after 50 actually depends on your perception of yourself as well as your perception of others. I'm 88 and see no dating problems, period. I see many men and women over 50 enjoying life, and dating too. I have many friends of both sexes who enjoying life to the utmost. And that includes me. My life couldn't be better, and I see no shortage of nice ladies to date. I'm not well off financially, average looking, have no special talents, and yet I'm very happy. If you're unhappy with your social life maybe you should ask your friends to offer suggestions about helping your social life, and then really listen to what they say. You may find your life changing for the better in a hurry!

Why on earth not!!!!!!!!! OF COURSE....................!

I don't think I've "dated" since I was in my 30s. My relationships seem to spring out of weird synchronistic circumstances. My last two long term (17 years and 7 years) relationships occurred from young men (17 & 19 years younger) pursuing me. I am NOT a cougar. They pursued me.

As a new-ishly (happily) divorced 52 year old, this thread is depressing - and true. I want a companion, but I have obligations. I want love, but have forgotten how to be a good lover. I want someone who is like me, but brings out my better angels. Who is my age, atheist-ish, lives near me, is well educated, smart, funny...etc. Oh, and I don't really want any of that - too much work. Easier to be on my own. But, then, I want a funny travel companion, and it suddenly isn't always easier to be alone...Wow. I like my life, would like to share it, but am too old and too picky to succeed. Well, thanks all. I'm now feeling old and want to tell people to get off my lawn. I'm off to bed now.

Perhaps it's due to my lack of linguistic insight, but I still don't really understand what dating really is.

I honestly haven’t found it as difficult as you may have. I do find that if I lay things out including who I am, what I’m about like my politics or beliefs which I won’t compromise on and yet respect others opinions, thoughts..... it helps . Also I try to be honest the I’m 66 years your and I’m an active sexual creature ( straight ) and enjoy intimacy and giving a woman oral pleasure.... this is who I am too

I honestly haven’t found it as difficult as you may have. I do find that if I lay things out including who I am, what I’m about like my politics or beliefs which I won’t compromise on and yet respect others opinions, thoughts..... it helps . Also I try to be honest the I’m 66 years your and I’m an active sexual creature ( straight ) and enjoy intimacy and giving a woman oral pleasure.... this is who I am too

Not quite 50, but I think many cut out potential mates for odd reasons. I'll date republicans who are rational, can articulate their motivations and are respectful of others. Sadly many of my fellow liberals can't do those three things we should have learned before high school.

Personally I haven't found dating in my mid 40s to be bad. I'm a social guy, several of my female friends and acquaintances have single friends. I think it's essential to cultivate platonic relationships, I met my last two GFs through acquaintances.

One odd aspect of religious dating that seems to infect heretics and infidels is men have to be assertive and women need to be demure. I usually figure out if a woman is interested so this helps me, but I've known a lot of women who never make the first move or make it OBVIOUS a guy they like should ask them out.

LOL, btw I've been in OK, TX and UT for ten years, it's not like I'm surrounded by a atheist hotties

I also know several professional women who would NEVER consider dating a man who makes $20k less lol and many of those same women say they're dedicated to dismantling the patriarchy. Also stay at home moms who demand all potential dates make enough to support them and their kids. One woman I know of recently got married but her biggest concern was his $70k salary would be a significant reduction for her children, she can't make $40k.

Sorry women, there simply aren't that many single men who make $100k, especially if you throw in supporting a 20ish failure to launch or the ego associated with not deigning to date plumbers

If we truly reject religious culture, wouldn't we also reject concepts the man is the breadwinner and women need to be demure that are intrinsically tied to religion?

It's a minefield, ha ha.

I've noticed that even in their 40s, people tend to be significantly more unyielding with respect to what they won't put up with. They see themselves as not having much time to weed out the prospects that are only promising yet not perfect.

So your perception is that the casualty rate in the first and perhaps second waves of attempts at dating them is much, much higher, it is saving you a bit of time. I don't necessarily agree that it significantly increases their chances of finding someone they match with, but I certainly can't tell them they're not entitled to do things the way they are comfortable with in their own private lives.

Why is it so hard to find someone to spend the rest of my life with?

I love it. hell, you are dead spot on. solitude is highly under-rated. just have to make sure you humans are far enough away for me to spill my guts.

I feel your pain. It's the same story all over, @crimson67: it's complicated because in this age group a lot of people have kids, are at points in their career arcs demanding a fair amount of time, and have been burned in past LTR's (particularly marriages). It's frustrating and challenging for us menfolk too!

I don't know what else there is to do but to keep on trying to meet Ms. Right. Every time I strike up a new relationship with a new woman I'm hopeful! I've the advantage of a large dating pool near a big city. Your profile says you're in Kentucky, and especially if you're in one of the more rural areas that may be the real factor. Do you have access to Louisville or Cincy, maybe?

There are men out there who are 1) not religious, 2) not obnoxiously conservative, 3) reasonably easy on the eye, and 4) interested in finding partners (that word chosen deliberately) of approximately the same age. Keep on fishing, in bigger and bigger ponds if need be.

Baggage, set in their ways with little room to change. No longer trainable. Lack of sound health. Way too many pills to stay alive.

Well, just to let you know that it's not impossible, I got re-married at 52. Hang in there.

Having atheist in your profile is a killer. Unless it's my photo

You think it's tough after 50? Try it when you're over 70. IT SUCKS !

I decided I'm just going to find myself a good handyman and marry him.

I'm 47 and I totally agree. It also doesn't help that I'm crap with meeting new people (its fine once I know you but those initial interactions are just so awkward).

Blech. I hate it. I oscillate from "I hate being alone" to, "who needs the grief", then back again. In between I remain single. :/

It’s complicated, but there’s someone out there for you.