I wouldn't take stock in a single thing someone says who tells your dating is weak and codependent. You will be suprised as how important this will be in the coming months.
Steve, do you always find women attractive who are ready to mother you after 3 or 4 dates?
I agree dating is a great opportunity to meet new people, build confidence and self esteem...and lord knows John needs both! I am just advising not to latch on too quickly to the first piece of tai! (can I say that) that crosses his path. There are so many beautiful and healthy people out there and he is young so look around a bit before he takes the next leap!!! Who knows the prof. lady friend might be a more mature, but equally as his W. I can picture John now in the middle of two pi$$ed off Glenn Close's.
I am not finding the dating pool all that tainted. Of course when we get to our age > 40 we all have skeletons in our closet you just have to use the solution selection matrix (a tool that I use in project planning) to weed out the Cuckoo Nest inhabitants and the ones that have positively progressed as we have through life's drama. They are out there as well as on these threads!