Laid-Off and Looking for Love

Feb. 13, 2009— -- Millions of Americans have lost their jobs in this recession, but that doesn't mean they have lost their hearts.

As the economy has worsened over the past few months, apparently more people are looking for love -- or maybe just that someone special who can console them.

The Dow might have lost 44 percent of its value, but membership on dating site Match.com grew 17 percent more in December than over the same period last year. And they're not alone.

"In general, online dating services, since the economy has gotten really bad, have grown anywhere from 10 to 50 percent," said Joe Tracy, publisher of Online Dating Magazine. "People are spending more time at home and, as a result, they kind of get bored and lonely. So they tend to go online and use social networking and online dating services more."

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Tracy said that people don't like to face negative situations alone and therefore feel a much stronger need to have someone close to them when things aren't going well.

"Economic downturns typically cause people to reprioritize our goals and as a result, relationships generally move up on that list," Tracy said.

Christine B. Whelan, an assistant professor of sociology at The University of Iowa and the author of Marry Smart: The Intelligent Woman's Guide to True Love, said that hard times certainly lead people to look for love.

"Many people who have defined themselves by their job are feeling particularly hard-hit by this economic downturn," Whelan said. "They're not just losing their job, they might be losing their sense of identity and their dating currency."

Some people are also looking for mates for financial security. This generation of men have grown up around successful women and don't have any problem with the idea that women can earn a good salary.

"In a tough economy, getting into a relationship with a woman who wants to continue working, it can take some of the burden off the guy," Whelan said. "We're always looking for that special someone but you can also look for support from someone else when times are tough."