Mediated channels for mate seeking: A solution to involuntary singlehood?

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Abstract
The rapid growth in the number of unmarried Americans has prompted a variety of mediated channels for mate seeking, including videotapes, print ads, computer networks, and human third parties. These innovative services represent a marked shift in the traditional channels for courtship, from informal networks and social gatherings to a mass communication approach. This paper examines the success and failure of these mediated channels in faciliating the searching, matching, and interacting processes that bring singles together. It further explores how these pathways to romance not only faciliate meeting eligible others but also shape singles’ understanding of their romantic relationships.