¶ … dating in the United States, and how technology has affected dating in the last 50 years. Specifically, it will express the impact of technology over the past 50 years on dating patterns of "young adults" (ages 13-30 depending on the social norm of the decade). Dating has always been a ritual for young adults to find themselves and discover their sexuality while trying out potential long-term mates. Today, dating, and how young people date, has changed considerably due to advances in technology. Technology has changed dating tremendously in the last 50 years, and yet, one thing remains the same. Dating is a young adult ritual that helps prepare them for the relationships of adulthood, and that, no matter what changes on the outside, will continue to be a constant in dating today, and in the future.
Technology and its Affect on Dating in the U.S.
It is not surprising that dating in the United States has altered in the last 50 years, what may be more surprising is that it has not altered more. With the great advances America has seen in technology in the last half-decade, it is surprising dating has not become even more evolved and involved than it already has. Technology has had a lasting affect on how young Americans date and it is not hard to believe as technology makes even more advances, that dating will certainly continue to change and evolve.
In the 1950s, dating was a social ritual that was highly controlled by the parents of the two young adults. Often, their dates consisted of sitting on the couch watching a television show or listening to the radio with the parents in the room. As one author notes, "The venues available for such pairing off were relatively limited compared to present times, and for middle-class couples, at least, the dominant practice was for the male to visit the female in her home" (Whyte 17). However, this "baby-boom" time after World War II was a time of great affluence in the U.S., and more and more teens were driving their own cars, and so, the dating pattern began to change as a result of technology and affluence.
With the advent of more teens having cars, dating changed from a controlled environment to one far less controlled by the adults. The automobile gave autonomy to teens, and it brought changes in the dating environment. For example, teens with cars really created the drive-in movie and drive-in restaurant craze. Teens "cruised" in their cars as both a dating ritual and a youth ritual, and as they cruised, they pulled into diners that began to cater to them with carhops and window-side service. The drive-in movie theatre also grew up around the same time, and became extremely popular as a date destination. The teens were safe in the cocoon of their cars, and they could "make out" with little fear of parental interference. Thus, technology helped create a more private environment for dating and it became acceptable in the 1950s and 60s for teens to date in these environments.
Films and television also had a major affect on dating, and they continue that influence today. Teens are usually extremely interested in the newest film releases, and movie theaters have always been a favorite date destination. Drive-in's of course changed the date from a public one to a private one, where anything goes in the back seat, but the films were still the major draw, and many teens do indeed simply watch the movie.
Films are a way for young adults to live out fantasies while they enjoy the company of the opposite sex, and films can play an important role in young people's lives, as they romanticize and fanaticize about their favorite stars. These stars act as role models for many young people and films help enhance their visibility and appeal. As films become more realistic, it is easy for the young viewers to believe these fantasylands really exist, and their lives may parallel the lives on the screen. Dating has altered because of prevalence of films and theaters, and film going is still one of the most popular weekend dates. With the advent of cable television and pay-per-view, films are even more readily available to young adults - even films that are not intended for them, and so, films can insinuate themselves into the lives of young people in many ways, and they can impact their attitudes on dating and sexuality.
Probably one of the biggest influences on dating...
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