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Research Profile: Dating

blntmaker

on June 15, 2007

Dating is the social process of courtship in which: Two people who meet and take time to evaluate one another's personal qualities for the express purpose of establishing an exclusive relationship with a single partner. This relationship is fostered through the continuous sharing of social outings, common interests and by many standards, intimacy of a physical or non-physical nature.

Dating ("going steady", "going out") among pre-teens or teens is usually encouraged by a circle of friends within that person's peer group. The idea of dating typically, though ackwardly, begins at this young age. The dating environment for children of this age brings about an influx of emotions and tools for molding social skills.

The advantages of dating at this age is that the experience in itself helps mature boys and girls as they slowly adjust to the process of puberty and the meaning behind unexplained feeling (both emotionally and physically). However, because dating at this age is a part of the learning and growing experience, the disadvantages can provide dreadful results. Mostly due to the objective atmosphere of peer groups.

Dating, even teen dating, remains a key element in social growth among youth today.