Before I was married I wanted nothing to do with a divorced man. Now I wish I had had a man with more experience on him. I sometimes hear divorced men saying they do not want a divorced woman. This makes me laugh, because no woman who has not been married wants a divorced man.

That is not to say a never married woman would never have a divorced man and vice versa, but, sure, it's considered less than ideal.

I'm just worried that it is going to hurt my chances of meeting someone. I don't care if someone is divorced or not, but I simply fear that I'm not going to be able to find someone.

Hey, she cheated on you and asked for a divorce. You're bulletproof. Don't worry about it.

Actually, quite the contrary. Women PREFER a man who was once married. Apparently, the ability to show you have it in you to commit is more attractive to a woman than being 30+ years old and wondering what all your issues are that you were NEVER married.

I think you will find the right one for you--Your looking for someone who won't judge you right? Then ignore the women that care if you've been divorced.

If you are worried about the stigma, then don't use the word and don't let it be the first thing they learn about you. Let them learn that you are fun, kind, funny, passionate, etc. Later, after you decide the person is of interest to you, then reveal more. I personally hate the word "divorce," so I rarely use it. No longer married is what I plan to say.

Also, when you get to the stage of marriage....she should be so in love with you that your past is your past whether divorced or not.

I've thought of this as well. I am NOT ashamed right now and will not be ashamed if and when someone else comes into my life by stating that I am divorced. In my heart of hearts I can walk away from this with a very clean and clear conscious. I did EVERYTHING I could and more to keep the relationship (even when i should NOT have) I walk away knowing i was honest, faithful an excellent wife and mother. Yes, it takes two to make it work and he chose to put his time and energy into other things,no matter what I did.

Character says it all. I have no doubt that my personal values, morals belief and strong character continue to shine through. In eseence it is not going to matter. Someone else will see that and embrace it....so why would I attach the "stigma" of "failed relationship to me?

I haven't seen much of a "stigma" outside of Christian circles.

As for me, when I meet a man in his forties or older that's never been married, I wonder what's wrong with him.... commitment issues, selfishness, immaturity, player? I would rather know that a man was able to have a committed, long term relationship... even if it didn't turn out perfect.

I think for most women this wouldn't matter. And for the ones where it does, guess what?, that is not someone you want to be with anyway. Dating is difficult enough without worrying about things like this. Focus on being the best person you can and just ignore those who look at you differently because you are divorced.

I appreciate the replies. Another question: When is the right time to tell someone you are dating that you're divorced?

When they ask you the question. If they don't ask, when it looks like it's becoming serious.

I will add that it is not good to date while separated if you are still hung up on your wife. People get hurt that way, it is using.

As a dad, I would prefer a woman who has children. They would understand the family structure a bit better than a person who does not have kids.

I agree with Baybrat.. if I meed a man about 40 years old that has never been married.. my first question is .. what is wrong with you...

so being divorced is not an issue... I hopefully will be divorced in two weeks.... I intend to introduce myself as "newly single".....

That way it doesn't sound like I have any baggage and no I dont'want to go into the details until I am sure you( ie my date) has a right to know my crap.. if it is just a casual dating thing and we find ourselves incompatible.. you dont' need to know my crap...

Does that make any sense.

I find that most women I have met are in the 27-42 yr. old category. If they've never been married, they're happy to have a date usually. If they're divorced, they're happy to meet a nice guy. don't think about dating until you are 100% right in your mind and heart and totally over the loss of the marriage. isn't fair to you or the other person.