Table of Contents
- Solo living or partnership preference?
- Faith in everlasting love?
- Reliance on friendships?
- Significance of satisfying sex?
- Preference for younger partners?
- Alternative digital dating options
- Does online dating deliver as promised?
- Desired frequency of intimacy?
- Contented relationship status?
- Vital inner beliefs
- Perceived versus biological age
- Transformation into an elder?
- Determinants of aging
- Cosmetic enhancements - a choice?
- Affinity for gaming
- Serendipitous encounters
- Rejection of label "Silver Ager"
- Aims and Ambitions of the Over-50 Demographic
The "Now me" generation, a group comprising individuals over the age of 50, has taken a refreshed interest in their personal lives, as indicated by a recent study from Rheingold Institute. This cohort continues to live more self-determined and liberated but in a manner that is less committed and more autonomous than their older counterparts. Researchers gathered insights by surveying over a thousand Germans and conducting individual interviews, disclosing what factors contribute to a fulfilling partnership and what standards they seek when searching for a potential life partner.
Solo living or partnership preference?
Approximately 31% of individuals aged 50+ currently live alone, with close to half of these solitary individuals choosing to remain so. There is a notable gender difference, with 57% of women and 46% of men expressing a preference for maintaining their single status.
Faith in everlasting love?
Among single males aged 50+ who seek a new partnership, 81% still believe in the idea of true love. This belief is less prevalent among women, with only 71% subscribing to it.
Reliance on friendships?
On average, people aged 50+ have eight friends, with at least three qualified as close friends. An overwhelming majority of participants (81%) declare trust in their friends, while 83% can engage in open discussions with them about anything.
Significance of satisfying sex?
More than two-thirds (70%) of single males aged 50+ value a sexually fulfilling relationship when choosing a partner. This desire is less salient for women over 50, as only 31% emphasize it in their partner selection.
Preference for younger partners?
Over half (58%) of men aged 50+ seek out a younger partner, while such considerations play less prominently in the partner selection process for women, with only 30% expressing interest in a younger partner.
Alternative digital dating options
One in ten participants over 50 utilize online dating platforms at least once a month, with 4% doing so more frequently. Popular options include Finya and Tinder.
Does online dating deliver as promised?
Online dating platforms largely meet the sexual encounter expectations of 50+ users, with 38% seeking and 34% finding such encounters. However, the success rate for establishing a romantic relationship is lower, with only 15% finding a suitable companion for an enduring bond, while 41% search for such a connection. The search for new friendships sees success for only 30%, while 53% aspire for it.
Desired frequency of intimacy?
53% of males and females aged 50+ desire regular intimate moments, but only 30% of these desires are actualized.
Contented relationship status?
Two-thirds of respondents (63%) are currently in a relationship, with 4% describing it as purely practical and 63% identifying it as love-based.
Vital inner beliefs
Factors that hold significant value in a relationship for individuals aged 50+ include: humor, manners, and intelligence.
Perceived versus biological age
The study delves into the disparity between self-perceived and biological age.
Women aged 50+ report feeling an average of eight years younger than their true age, while men experience only a six-year difference between their actual and perceived age.
Transformation into an elder?
For women, the onset of old age is typically experienced at 72.4 years, four years later for men, at 68.6 years.
Determinants of aging
Primary factors contributing to the perception of aging for 74% of respondents are loss of autonomy and severe physical limitations.
Cosmetic enhancements - a choice?
Only 5% of respondents have undergone cosmetic surgery, but 12% of non-surgeried individuals consider it.
Affinity for gaming
More than one-third (38%) consistently play video games, while a majority (63%) prefer traditional board games.
Serendipitous encounters
Only 1 in 5 individuals attend community or neighborhood events to make new acquaintances, with the majority relying on chance encounters to grow their social circle.
Rejection of label "Silver Ager"
Among all terms proposed to describe their age group, "Silver Ager" ranks lowest in acceptance (2%), followed by "Baby Boomer" (22%). The most popular categorization is "Generation 50+" (31%).
Women aged 50+ perceive themselves to be an average of eight years younger than their actual age, while men experience a six-year difference.In the partner selection process, only 30% of women express interest in a younger partner, unlike 58% of men.
