Dr Pepper Schwartz is a sociologist and sexologist at the University of Washington, Seattle. Schwartz is also a television personality, the author of numerous books, and a relationship expert at perfectmatch.com. She believes there are two main reasons why global downsizing has not affected our quest for love:

“You can look at it cynically or you can look at it romantically. The cynic would say that when times are tough it’s good to have someone else to help put food on the table. Sharing the burden with someone is the best survival tactic. As a romantic though, I think that in these times of economic hardship people are asking themselves ‘what are my deepest and most elementary needs?’ Instead of a car or a TV set or new clothes people want to find love.”

“Governments are saying we have to get back to basics,” she continues. “Well, in times like these I think people will either turn to religion or to love…or maybe to both!”

The cynical view is a fair point. Perhaps if people are looking more frequently online for partners, that may explain the growing success rates. It may also explain the recent success of free online dating sites. Perhaps people are using common sense to find partners the cheapest way possible?

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in the last three months,” said Kate Bilenki, the Operations Manager of a free dating site, plentyoffish.com. “Our US traffic has gone up 33 per cent since August alone. In the current climate people are trying to save money but they also have more time on their hands with less work available.”

Dr Schwartz agrees: “My sense is the more motivated people are to find someone, the more they let their standards slip,” she laughs. “If you are coming at it from an economic point you might think it’s better just to have anyone in your life as opposed to waiting for the perfect one.”

If dating becomes more popular in times of economic hardship, does this mean we are neglecting our love lives when we are financially stable?

“It’s not an either/or situation,” argues Dr Schwartz. “The more privileged we feel, the more choices we feel we have. We play the field and have a good time. But dating is expensive and now that times are tough financially, people look beyond the game and start to play for keeps.”

So have bars and nightclubs been replaced by websites as the most effective way to meet that special someone? Are more and more people hooking up the internet to hook up with the opposite sex? Both Kate Bilenki and Dr Schwartz believe the recession plays into the hand of online dating.

“Years ago, internet dating was taboo, but nowadays it’s becoming the more normal way to meet someone,” explains Bilenki. “For younger people, going out to nightclubs is expensive. It’s much easier and cheaper to at least screen someone online first before taking them out on a date and forking out $100.”

It’s something Dr Schwartz agrees with: “I believe in this time of recession the dating method will change. People will go for coffee on dates instead of lunches. Tthen they may even go for more walks on the beach than go for coffee. With less money, people will modify their habits and online dating is just another example of that.”

The good news for dating websites must be bad news for bars and nightclubs. Even a romantic at heart will have to concede that there are some benefits to finding love in the ether of the internet.

“If you go to a nightclub, what are the chances you'll meet someone that's nice and serious?” asks Dr Schwartz. “At least online, people are there because they are already actively looking for someone. They also give out more information about themselves so it’s easier to sift through them. I can see in a tight economy how it will be seen as a more efficient way to find love.”

Despite the financial crisis people will always look for love. The statistics prove that people are turning to online dating more and more. It’s no coincidence that the last time these sites saw such growth was in 2001 – the last time we saw an economic downturn.

Perhaps it’s time we looked on the bright side of the economic slide. You may lose your job or even fall behind on your mortgage repayments, but at least you can then you can spend more time dating and even ask that special someone to move in with you!

You may end up poor but you could feel rich with a loved one.

Ciaran Walsh for RT

Tips on dating in the recession

The recession may be taking its toll on our careers but it does not necessarily have to affect our social lives too.

Pepper Schwartz, PhD, is an American sociologist and sexologist teaching at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, United States. She is the author or co-author of numerous books, magazines,Web site columns, and a television personality (Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil) on the subject of sexuality.

She believes that the recession is a good opportunity for people to become better and more creative daters.

Dr. Schwartz also believes that the time has come for women, who seek equality, to share the burden of both arranging and paying for dates.

Listen to Dr. Pepper Schwartz give advice on how to be a success on the dating scene in this time of economic upheveal…