responding to those who claim this generation has unique issues … my two older boys, ages 24 and 22, are not even dating yet … and they are not worried, either … simply because the shadchan scene is such a scam in general … and personal introductions (through family and friends) is starting to be the trend, particularly where we live. we know couples who would not have met any other way … while there are many people who feel perfectly comfortable going to a stranger and submitting interview after interview on potential mates … other more homey types need the personal touch … and for many of the people we know, it has worked. it really pays to stay within the community … people have seen your children grow up and you have seen theirs … people can made a business out of anything … but your own child’s future and the future of their children should not be put in some fleeting stranger’s hands … there is tremendous strength in community … and my oldest son is now asking for three of his single friends from yeshiva … the old tried and true tactic that G-d will give you what you do for others … if he finds shidduchim for his friends, he is guaranteed Ha-Shem will give him his … and possibly even in that order …
as for the older single woman’s plight … my son’s rabbonim have recommended for years now that older women make the best choice … so there you have it … stay within the community, dump the shadchanim, encourage your single adult children to first help their friends find their mates … and teach your boys to go for the older girls …