Terry,

To be fair, I don't know what it's like to date these days. I'm married and I've been that way for a long time. When I dated, online dating apps weren't a thing yet. So, if I asked someone out, it's usually someone who I was acquainted with. I was able to observe who they were, how they acted towards me and other people. If I asked someone out, it was because I really like them. They already had qualities I admired. I was usually pretty good at avoiding bad (selfish, violent, predatory) women.

Most of the women I went on dates with appreciated the effort. If they accepted an invitation to a date, I was excited, because that meant they liked me back. I was willing to go the extra mile for them. It was worth the effort.

With online dating, that just doesn't happen. It's a complete roll of the dice on a complete stranger who picked you from 100 other guys. It's not the same as it was when you met them in real life. Add that to the growing chorus of women who don't need or really want men anymore and I can see how many men don't think it's worth the effort. I can see why many start to wonder, what if I don't have to partner up to be happy?