Between classes, homework, parent duties and work, single parents barely have any time to themselves, let alone have time for dating.
We all hope and dream to find our significant other, a partner to complement your great qualities and love you through and help you outgrow your flaws.
Due to heavily packed schedules, these thoughts almost seem unrealistic and intangible. Does that mean it’s just not in the cards for single parents?
If Pierce College hosts a single parents’ speed dating event, it could open doors for single parents.
By bringing hope and light to the subject of love for single parents it could create a more fulfilling life.
Loneliness has long been a problem, but COVID has greatly increased these numbers.
According to bioedge.org, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called loneliness an epidemic. “From 2003 to 2020, objective measures of social exposure (in minutes per day) obtained from the American Time Use Survey revealed progressive declines in social connection and increases in social isolation in the U.S. population that began well before the pandemic and worsened during it. And the pandemic’s potential longer-term effects on SIL (social isolation and loneliness) and health are not yet known. Getting ‘back to normal’ is not enough.”
A study suggests loneliness is the new silent killer. According to bioedge.org, “Countless studies have shown that people experiencing SIL have an increased risk of anxiety and depression, dementia, infectious disease, low functional status, and death from overdose or suicide.”
Another source, globalnews.ca, states, “The surgeon general is calling on workplaces, schools, technology companies, community organizations, parents and other people to make changes that will boost the country’s connectedness.”
Pierce can host the event twice a semester in the Multicultural Center, one during the day and one in the evening to include those who have a day job. Students can be informed through an email blast and on-campus advertising. The speed dating event would have everyone rotating from one table to another. From there, the participants can exchange information if they would like to take it a step further.
One of the biggest benefits from speed dating, according to verywellmind.com, is “if you don’t have a lot of time to date or meet people, speed dating can offer a way for you to meet potential partners. It can be particularly helpful if you prefer meeting people face-to-face rather than using dating apps and chatting with them online.”
With companies, communities, schools and workplaces doing their best to find a way to gain people’s engagement and interaction with one another. Pierce can help eliminate this silent killer.