Dating: Getting to KnowYou
Datingisarelativelynewphenomenon
in human history.Historically,cultures
involved parents and other elders in
arranging marriages suitable for their
children.Many preindustrial nations still
adhere to this practice.Some
industrialized nations also include
varying levels of parental involvement in
marriage arrangements.As nations
industrialize,women are given more
opportunities for education and career
development.This leads to a rise in
dating and a postponement of marriage.
In the United States,“courting”was
strictly chaperoned and intended solely
for the purpose of spouse selection until
the 20th century.FollowingWorldWar I,
theAmerican value of freedom of choice
resulted in dating not only for spouse
selection,but also for recreational
purposes.
Today,dating has many functions
besides recreation and spouse selection.
Through the process of dating,
individuals find out about themselves
and one another.They become
socialized into adult gender roles.
Dating also can become a vehicle of
status attainment for young people.
Dating practices continue to change as
people meet via the Internet and
hooking up—intimacy without strings
attached—becomes more prevalent.
With increased dating and delay of
marriage comes an increase in premarital
sexual activity.The prevalent cultural
norm inAmerica today is relativism;
thus,premarital sexual activity is
generally accepted in secular culture
under certain circumstances.In contrast
to relativism,Christians hold to the
biblical principle of authentic sexuality.
Recognizing that sexuality has become
distorted because of the Fall,Christians
seek Jesus Christ to restore and renew
their potential for authentic sexuality.
God’s plan for sex is that it operates
within the covenant relationship of
marriage,intended to draw a couple to
deeper levels of knowing themselves,one
another,and God.
Many Christians today are opting to
go against cultural norms and take a
hiatus from dating.The single life,far
from being the stereotype of someone
unable to find a spouse,represents a
conscious decision to cultivate a deeper
relationship with God and to focus on
developing self-identity.
Summary