Dating has been a time-honored social activity practised in all Western societies, where two (or more) people to meet socially invariably with the intention of each evaluating the other’s suitability as a potential partner in a potentially romantic relationship in the future. It is essentially a behaviour that is considered to be polite rather than romantic. The concept of ‘dating’ as such has been widely documented in pop culture and even featured in a few funny cartoon strips. Dating in contemporary Western society is typically practiced between members of what are termed the ‘dating services’. This term, dating service, is broadly used to describe any company or organisation offering a range of services aimed at meeting the needs of those interested in entering into casual, direct contact with others.
Dating has, in modern times; largely been relegated to the realms of the exotic and the adventurous where, historically, it was a much more direct and personal experience. This, of course, was not unanticipated given the social and legal implications of dating between consenting adults. The advent of online dating services provides an example of how dating can be approached in contemporary Western cultures. Through the medium of the internet, singles can register with dating websites and search for partners based on shared criteria such as age, attractiveness, interests, religion, ethnic origin and a host of other criteria that may be chosen by the website. Dating online provides a great deal of freedom and anonymity for those seeking romance but also provides an opportunity for those who seek it to develop meaningful and lasting relationships.
Online dating sites; generally provide a platform for singles to engage in casual communication with others who share similar interests and who may have an interest in personal development, compatibility and potential dating opportunities. It does not necessarily follow that, in the same way as traditional dating venues, online dating sites offer a less structured and less formal form of relationship formation and relationship dating. There are no rules. People can communicate about any range of topics, including love, relationships and even casual dating issues.
Relationships at this point – courtship – are generally defined as a series of initial interactions and courtship behaviours designed to create a relationship that is based on an understanding of the individual or individuals involved. It is at this stage that courtship has an impact on romantic relationships because it allows individuals to explore each other physically and socially. At this stage many people also begin to develop their own sense of what they like and what they do not like about each other. As people spend more time with each other, they begin to be able to recognise each other’s traits and personalities and generally become more comfortable with one another.
At this stage in the dating process; it is important to realise that the online dating experience is not necessarily limited to the courtship stage. People are also often involved in ‘date night’, which is a nightly activity where friends and/or dates meet to partake in an array of fun activities and games. This is not necessarily a sign that the person is involved in any romantic relationships and is usually organised by the individual in question or their friends.
Online dating continues to grow in popularity with millions of singles; utilising online venues to locate potential partners. It remains true that for some people the process of finding that special someone is a long and complicated one, but for the vast majority it is simply a case of finding the right match for them. By utilising online dating websites and services it can be possible to bypass the courtship stage, achieve true intimacy and build up a relationship based on true love. It is possible to get to know a person online before even forming a relationship, and there are numerous benefits in doing so. While there is certainly a long way to go in the dating world, online dating is only one step along the way.