Love - A market analysis

A funny article I found by ST writer : Chua Mui Hoong. Sunday Times. 16 Nov 2008
Five kinds of Men that women in their 30s can go for :
- Father of young kids
- Younger men seeking financial security
- Older Divorcees
- Married man
- Single man
Interesting perspectives which I never consider before.

Love: A market analysis - I've crunched the numbers and figured out how women in their 30s can still sell themselves in the marriage market. By Chua Mui Hoong

Single women seeking partners would benefit from a hard-headed analysis of where their best prospects lie. A marketing perspective is helpful: What is the market potential of women in their 30s? What is their value proposition? Which group of potential 'buyers' might they appeal to? I did my usual 'research' for an article like this on matters of the heart: I talked to my friends and consulted myself.

Here is my take on the market segments of men who may find women in their 30s most appealing:

Fathers of young kids: Divorced or widowed men with young children want a mother for their children. Women in their 20s are deemed too young. Thirty-somethings are perfect: experienced enough in life and mature enough to take on the responsibilities of stepping in as an instant mother, yet young and energetic enough to romp around and enjoy young children. Those in their mid- to late-30s may be giving up the idea of having their own children, yet welcome the chance for motherhood.

Pros: Likely to want a long-term relationship.
Cons: High expectations and intense job pressure.

Younger men seeking financial security: Professional women in their 30s are likely to have their own home and car and a steady income, and still look and act like they are in their swinging 20s. This may appeal to men looking for creature comforts or a woman to take care of them.

Pros: Energetic partner to have fun with.
Cons: Relationship may be transactional, with partner seeking new love gravy-train when you get older.

Older divorcees seeking fresh lease of life: Many divorced men in their 40s to 60s with teenage or grown-up children in the custody of their ex-wives are looking for a new love. They will find 30-somethings appealing. Dating a 20-something smacks too much of cradle-snatching. Dating women in their 40s or 50s provide uncomfortable reminders of their real vintage. An attractive, nubile woman in her 30s is young enough to be viewed as a trophy partner, yet is mature enough to be viewed by his friends as a respectably aged partner.

Pros: No pressure to start a family, for women content to be childless.
Cons: Divorcees usually have outstanding financial commitments to their ex-spouses and children.

Married men: Morality aside, the fact is that some women in their 30s end up having relationships with married men. Some women target this group, either because they can't find single men, or because they want a relationship they need not be committed to, or for perverse reasons such as to test if they can lure a man away from his wife.

Pros: Suitable for commitment-phobic women. Can be financially rewarding with a wealthy partner.
Cons: You never come first. Guilt-inducing for breaking up families.

Single men: At risk of attracting hate mail from single men, let me say aloud what women whisper to each other: Men who are never married and still single in their late 30s or 40s are either: gay, very choosy, have been hurt and are risk-averse, mummy's boys or socially dysfunctional. (No, this doesn't apply to single women.) Dating them will be challenging.

Pros: A partner who knows what he wants and has waited all his life for it - you.
Cons: Adapting to married life may be challenging for this partner.

Conclusion: There is considerable potential for women in their 30s to appeal to different market segments of men.

Smart women can review the options, figure out which category or categories they want to market themselves to and devise a plan to go for it. Good luck and happy dating.