Layout 1

Dating: Getting to KnowYou

2007).Regardlessof thereasons,without
theparametersof parentalsupervision,
datingbecameamoreprivateand
independentwayforyoungpeopletogetto
knowoneanotherandfindspouses.
Asyoungpeoplebecamemore
independent,attendedcoeducational
colleges,anddevelopedmoreleisure
activities,datingbegantotakeonalifeofits
own.Moreandmorepeoplebegandating
forfun,ratherthanforspouseselection.
AccordingtoBailey(2004),awoman’s
reputationdependedonbuildingand
maintainingherpopularity.Womenhadto
beseenwithpopularmeninthe“right”
places.Datingwasmoreaboutcompetition
withinthepeercultureofyouth.Datingand
matingweretwoquitedifferentthings.
Dancingbecameacompetitivesocial
functioninwhichthemalepartnerwas
responsibleforthefemaleuntilsomeonecut
in.Thepopularityofthemovietheaterin
themid-1900salsodramaticallychanged
datingactivities.Astheculturehasmoved
frompublicmovietheaterstoVCRsand
DVDplayers,datinghascontinuedto
becomemoreprivateandindependentof
outsidesupervision.

Cultural Variations in Dating

Americans often are surprised to learn
that,historically,the majority of cultures
havenotincluded a system of dating
whereby individuals are free to have

relationships with different people before

marriage (Madathil & Benshoff,2008).

Most nonindustrialized cultures today still

practice parent-arranged marriages and

have no formalized system of dating.

Many young people in these cultures

prefer this practice and would feel stressed

if they had to choose their own spouses.In

fact,nations practicing arranged

marriages have lower divorce rates.In

2008,a study of arranged marriages found

couples from India living in arranged

marriages in the United States reported

higher levels of marital satisfaction than

U.S.couples who had chosen their spouse

without family involvement (Madathil &

Benshoff,2008).Asian-Americans living

in the United States are more likely to have

family involvement in spouse selection

and consequently,a much lower divorce

rate (8% for men and 10% for women)

Despite an increase in interracial dating, only 5% of

all married couples are in an interracial marriage.

©GettyImages