The Evolution of Dating

by Emmie Blackham

While walking around at the junior high I always hear little groups of friends talking about dating and they say things like “I went on a ‘date’ with this really cute guy” or  “help me I  want to ask this guy on a ‘date’”. What does this really mean?  In the 1970-1980s the definition of a date was a group of 4-5 boys and girls going to a bowling alley or to get ice cream in a local drugstore and every once in a while if they really liked the boy/girl they would go on a double date with one of their good friends.  Right around the time my parents  were in junior high school in the 2000s the definition of a date turned into “going out”. Going out didn't really mean let's go hang out at the park or watch a movie together it meant  “Hey I like you do you want to be my boyfriend/girlfriend. If a person did go on a ‘date’ It was a little more modern where they would go roller skating or go to a movie theater. 
The official definition of a date is “a social or romantic appointment or engagement” Teenagers are missing part of what makes a ‘date’ an actual date. By this definition it means A guy will ask you out and you arrange a date. You go on that date looking your best and have a nice conversation. He might be extra polite and open the door for you or let you go first, or he might pay for your meal. For some of you that seems a little over the top or something that doesn't happen that often so why would you do it in that fashion? But, that's the point, it doesn't happen. 
‘Dating’ has become “hey your cute can I get you number” and then small talk over text. Then, you decide to go to one of your houses and sit in the basement watching the newest Netflix show so it gives you a reason to kiss and snuggle.  While that might not be the case for you that sounds pretty typical but it doesn't have to be that way. In the world we live in today our social interaction face to face has already gone down. We can still go off that definition, but ‘dating’ should be about spending time with someone who has similar standards as you and getting to know them on a semi-personal level; it does not have to be romantic.  Then when you have gotten to know that person, you can still be friends, but talk to some other people, and by the time you might consider going on a formal date, you will have already made up you mind on what you are  looking for in them as a person--not just their outside appearance or how you feel when they kiss you.