Settling ... what does it mean?

I recently read an article (forgot to save the link – sorry) discussing how as women get older we have to accept the fact that we might have to “settle” when it comes to choosing a life partner. As with so many articles on relationships these days, what perplexed me was that the author assumed that her subjective definition of “settling” was the same for every person in the U.S. as it was for her (you know “settling” for a man who makes less money then she hoped, is not as tall, as cute, etc. as she hoped). Yet, unbeknownst to some, there is no perfect package. It also appears that as people get older, they become more aware of who they are and what they really want out of life … I find it hard to believe that a stronger sense of self-actualization (gained via life experience) would cause one to “settle” for a less than fulfilling connection with a partner.

What does settling mean to you? Does settling mean people enter into partnerships despite initially desiring a significant other who had a higher income, was a little taller, just a little thinner or more physically endowed in certain areas of his/her body? Are these really the most pertinent prerequisites that individuals use these days to enter into (what they hope to be) a lasting connected commitment? If so, are you really that shocked that such relationships usually maintain the life warranty of a Safeway Select generic brand battery?