Dating has changed drastically throughout the decades, as it has evolved to what it has become today. This article will take you on a journey through the decades to understand how dating has changed and evolved. "Dating", "going steady", and "courting", are all terms that mean "to be in a relationship with someone else". As humans, we often seek love and affection from others. Being in community with others is a big part of social interactions and dating is at the forefront of these interactions. Now, we will take a journey through the decades to discover the world of relationships.
The Roaring 20's:
The 1920's Prohibition era was a time for change. Women did not become housewives immediately. Instead, they focused on dancing, riding in cars, and having the time of their lives at speakeasies. Flapper dresses and a change in wardrobe led to more promiscuous clothing choices and more skin being shown. The terms "boyfriend" and "girlfriend" were created also.
The Depression of the 1930's:
Because of financial strain during the Great Depression, teenagers often did not finish high school or attend college. Instead, they would work or leave home in order to not be a financial burden on their parents. Because of the hard times, organized crime was popular among teenagers. Dating during this decade included strict dating rules, "going steady", promiscuous dating, and gentlemen asking ladies on formal dates and ladies amending to men's choices. Dating more than one person at a time was socially acceptable.
The World War II Dating Era (1940's):
During World War II, only dating one person exclusively gained popularity. Control issues arose as men felt a need to protect their woman. War marriages, in which couples married younger and had more children, was a prominent practice. Women also had a change in role and began working to support the war effort instead of being a stay-at-home housewife. This was a time for national pride and propaganda for the advancement of women. Women holding tough factory jobs, that were thought of as only a man's job before, gained popularity .
The Happy Days of the 1950's:
The 1950's dating boom included blind dates and double dating. It was customary for a man to call a woman a certain number of times a week and go on a certain number of dates a week in order to be considered dating. Dates took place at public places, such as sock hops, movies, amusement parks, and sporting events. Public displays of affection, such as kissing and hugging were acceptable. Pick-up lines and dating advice books for girls were popular during this time.
The Flower Power days of the 1960's:
This was the generation of the baby boomers and post-war children. This was the era of hippies who were more politically focused. Drugs, the Birth Control Pill, and music were very popular. More teenagers began to attend college and a more prosperous time began. The emergence of interracial couples and gay pride was a new concept to America. Dating was much more casual during this generation.
The Disco Era of the 1970's:
The disco era of dating was very similar to 1960's dating. This era included even more drugs and sex, which resulted in the most casual relationships of any decade. Informal relationships were very popular among the youth and people dated at a younger age. "The Dating Game" was a very popular television show during this decade. This dating decade was also defined by the discovery of AIDS and the spread throughout America.
The Reagan Era of the 1980's:
The 1980's were a time for speed dating. MTV was the most influential aspect of a teenagers life. MTV taught teens how to dress, how to speak, decide on music choices, and even how to behave in relationships. Teen dating violence and abuse were huge issues during this generation. Consequently, a huge increase in divorce rates was seen. A date during the 80's typically included drinking alcohol, hanging out at an arcade or attending a sports game. Talking on the phone for hours upon hours was also popular among couples. For the most part, relationships were not very serious in the 1980's.
Dating Today:
This generation of daters are pickier than ever, but are able to be because more options are available, because of technology and the internet. International relationships are common. Online dating apps, such as Tinder, are popular among this generation. Media, science, and technology, such as Skype and the internet, make dating someone from across the world possible. "Dating" is a more mature term, often used with adults in this generation, while the youth prefer to "hookup" and to not be committed to one person. In this generation, the sky is the limit when it comes to dating! There are many types of relationships, such as interracial, same sex, and international relationships. Transgender issues and gay marriage are also prominent in today's decade. Today's decade is truly an "anything goes" decade when it comes to dating.
As you can see, dating has evolved drastically through the decades! Although one thing has not changed- and that is LOVE! The cornerstone to any relationship is love!
