How to Date When You’re Almost Middle-Aged by A. Broadway
I skimmed this article over the other day (the link to it is much farther below; I wanted to say a few words first).
I’m over 40, the author was like 38 around the time of writing.
I don’t wish to re-read it, so I’m gong on memory. From what I remember, she seems to tilt to the belief that the older you get, the fewer decent men you have to choose from (I sometimes see this idea in regards to older women: that single women over the age of 35, 40 or 45 are somehow “flawed,” which is why they are still single, or single again).
The author therefore assumes if she does land a man at age 38 / 40, he is likely to be a loser or weirdo.
Look, I am not on board with that sort of negative, defeatist thinking. I’m over 40 and have never married (but yes, I was engaged to a guy for a few years. I have done the “serious relationship” thing).
Like all humans, yes, I have made mistakes in life and have a few odd-ball habits: but who does not. Still, for the most part, I am pretty normal. I’d make a great wife.
Therefore, any time I see married people or adult singles argue that singles over 35, 40, or older, are somehow losers or odd balls, I resent it – because, by default, you’re lumping me into that generalization. I am not a loser or a weirdo.
Over my time on the internet, especially since starting this blog, I’ve met other never-married or single again persons who are over the age of 35, and they’ve not been able to find a life partner. Not because they are losers, weirdos, or failures, but just for the simple fact that finding a compatible partner is not all that easy.
There are more never-married adults over 35 and 40 now (and “single again” adults) than at any time in our nation’s history, according to various news report I’ve seen the last 2 or 3 years. I find it hard to believe that all of the many thousands of over-40 singles are weirdos or too mal-adjusted to marry.
God knows I’m not as effed up as the (Link): married people I routinely blog about: the married, Christian men who rape their wives, abuse girlfriends, or who (Link): murder mistresses or who are arrested for fondling kids.
Yeah, I may have some insecurities or what not, but my God, I don’t rape people or fondle kids. I don’t strangle people or set them on fire.
I actually find this view, this assumption, that (Link): singles over 35 are not marriage material because they must be deeply scarred, have (Link): too much baggage, or be weirdos to be deeply insulting.
It’s bad enough when married people slight singles in these ways, but it’s somehow even sadder to me when another single does so, and I do see a little bit of that in this article by this never-married 30-something author. There were portions of this article that were okay – it’s by no means an entirely horrible piece, but a few parts that set my teeth on edge.
(Link): How to Date When You’re Almost Middle-Aged by A. Broadway
Excerpts:
- by Anna Broadway
- July 11, 2016
- The older you get, the weirder your prospects for marriage become. At least that’s what a then-single cousin once told me. Those weren’t her exact words, of course, but the gist of what she said was that our odd quirks and habits become more prominent as time passes, and our rough spots get rougher without enough close human friction to sand-smooth them down.
- …Instead, I’ve spent the (gulp) two decades since high school facing those questions with God, my church, and good friends. And rather than my identity being shaped by marriage, my identity now dictates the options I have for marriage, if those even remain for me.
- …When you’ve spent the bulk of your life expecting a different plot and cast, it can take some adjusting to the lines you’re actually given and the losses that may come with them. Sure, the story I thought my life would follow first came to me in grade school—not quite my sagest season in life—but it’s still hard to quit assumptions that I’ve held for almost three decades.
- ….As I adjust to dating at almost middle age, I’ve learned three main lessons, offered here by way of Lady Susan’s example.
- …Know when to hold your standards, and when to fold them.
Shared faith remains a must for me, but like Lady Susan, I’ve learned to adjust my requirements. I once put great stock in chemistry and intellectual connection, but the older I get, the more I value being completely at ease with someone.
Related Posts (on this blog):
(Link): Please Stop Shaming Me for Being Single by J. Vadnal
(Link): What You Learn in Your 40s by P. Druckerman
(Link): I’m 45, Single And Childless. No, There’s Nothing ‘Wrong’ With Me. by M Notkin
(Link): Celibate Christian Woman Asks Christian Host Why God Will Not Send Her a Husband
(Link): Is Dating Worth It? by A. Schwartz (Re “Labor of Love: The Invention of Dating” book by Weigel)
(Link): The Nauseating Push by Evangelicals for Early Marriage
(Link): Christian Blogger About Divorce, Pastor Andrew Webb, Thinks All To Most Mid-Life Never – Married or Single – Again Adults Are Mal-Adjusted, Ugly Losers Who Have Too Much Baggage
(Link): Single and 40: Dealing with Disappointment by L. Bishop
(Link): Ageism Vs. Age Preferences and Creepy Older Men
(Link): I’m 45, Single And Childless. No, There’s Nothing ‘Wrong’ With Me. by M Notkin
(Link): Infertility/ Kids/ The Male Biological Clock
(Link): Article by J. Watts: The Scandal of Singleness
(Link): Male Entitlement In Dating and In Marriage – Single Christian Men Who Feel Entitled – Part 1
(Link): Myths About Never Married Adults Over Age 40
(Link): Does God Require Singles to Be Perfect Before He Will Send Them a Spouse
(Link): Stop Telling Women Their Most Valuable Asset Is Their Youth
(Link): The Stupid Advice We Give To Single Women Over 40 (from the Current Conscience Blog)
(Link): First Time Marriage for Man and Woman Both Over Age 40
(Link): This dad is glad he postponed fatherhood (commentary – first time father at age 40 or older)
(Link): Never-Married Men Over 40: Date-able or Debate-able?
(Link): Woman’s First Marriage at Age 40+
(Link): Men Become ‘Invisible’ And Lose Sex Appeal At 39 – Article from Daily Caller
(Link): Do Married Couples Slight Their Family Members as Well as Their Friends? / “Greedy Marriages”
(Link): Decent Secular Relationship Advice: How to Pick Your Life Partner
(Link): Stupid Things Naive Christians Say (About Adultery, Divorce) from Divorce Minister Blog
(Link): Does God Require Singles to Be Perfect Before He Will Send Them a Spouse
(Link): Myths About Never Married Adults Over Age 40
(Link): Following the Usual Advice Won’t Get You Dates or Married – Even Celebrities Have A Hard Time
(Link): If the Family Is Central, Christ Isn’t
(Link): ‘Why Are You Single’ Lists That Do Not Pathologize Singles by Bella DePaulo
Link): Slut? Selfish? Sad? No, just a single woman (editorial)
(Link): A Long Time Single Responds to a ‘Why You’re Not Married’ Article
(Link): Statistics [from year 2014] Show Single Adults Now Outnumber Married Adults in the United States
(Link): I’m Single, But I’m Still a Whole Person (article)
(Lies): Lies The Church Tells Single Women (by Sue Bohlin)
(Link): The Nauseating Push by Evangelicals for Early Marriage
(Link): A Case Against Early Marriage by Ashley Moore (editorial)
(Link): Study: Got Married Sooner Than You Hoped? That’s Depressing
(Link): Singles Shaming at The Vintage church in Raleigh – Singlehood Shaming / Celibate Shaming
(Link): The Right One – Do Unmarried Christians Only Need Jesus in Common to Marry
(Link): Male Preacher Marries For First Time At Age 44
