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Marriage and Family in Theoretical Perspective 305
SOCIOLOGY and the NEW TECHNOLOGY Finding a Mate: Not the Same as It Used to Be
T hings haven’t changed entirely. Boys and girls still get interested in each other at their neighbor- hood schools, and men and women still meet at
college. Friends still serve as matchmakers and intro- duce friends, hoping they might click. People still meet at churches and bars, at the mall and at work.
But the Internet is bringing fundamental changes. Dating sites advertise that they offer thousands of potential companions, lovers, or spouses. For a low monthly fee, you can meet the person of your dreams.
The photos on these sites are fascinating. Some seem to be lovely people, warm, attractive, and viva- cious, and one wonders why they are posting their pho- tos and personal informa- tion online. Do they have some secret flaw that they need to do this? Others seem okay, although perhaps a bit needy.Then there are the pitiful, and one wonders whether they will ever find a mate, or even a hookup, for that matter. Some are des- perate, begging for some- one—anyone—to contact them: women who try for sexy poses, exposing too much flesh, suggesting the promise of at least a good time, and men who try their best to look like hulks, their muscular presence promising the same.
The Internet dating sites are not filled with losers, although there are plenty of them. Many regular, ordi- nary people post their profiles, too. And some do find the person of their dreams—or at least adequate
matches. With Internet postings losing their stigma, electronic matchmaking is becoming an acceptable way to find a mate.
Matchmaking sites tout “thousands of eligible prospects.” Unfortunately, the prospects are spread over the nation, and few people want to invest in a plane ticket only to find that the “prospect” doesn’t even resemble the posted photo. You can do a search for your area, but there are likely to be few candidates from it.
Not to worry. More technology to the rescue. The ease and comfort of “dating on demand.” You
sit at home, turn on your TV, and use your remote to search for your partner. Your local cable company has done all the hard work—hosting singles events at bars and malls, where they tape singles talking about themselves and what they are looking for in a mate (Grant 2005).
You can view the videos free. And if you get inter- ested in someone, for just a small fee you can contact the individual.
Now all you need to do is to hire a private detec- tive—also available online for another fee—to see if this engaging person is al- ready married, has a dozen kids, has been sued for pa-
ternity or child support, or is a child molester or a rapist.
For Your Consideration What is your opinion of electronic dating sites? Have you used one? Would you consider using an electronic dating site (if you were single and unattached)? Why or why not?
Why the Family Is Universal. Although the form of marriage and family varies from one group to another, the family is universal. The reason for this, say functionalists, is that the family fulfills six needs that are basic to the survival of every society. These needs, or func- tions, are (1) economic production, (2) socialization of children, (3) care of the sick and aged, (4) recreation, (5) sexual control, and (6) reproduction. To make certain that these functions are performed, every human group has adopted some form of the family.
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