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Test your knowledge on the history of dating and courtship in America.

How Much Do You Know About Dating?

The need for women to work in the New World meant women disregarded some of the traditional European courting formalities. Need for more population meant that marriage and courting were encouraged, and parents made little effort to oversee the courtship.

False!

True or False: In 18th century colonial America, the woman had no say in who she could court and eventually marry

Commonly practiced in the 18th century. Often couples would have a wooden board or other barrier between them to discourage premarital "relations"

This dating practice allowed couples a private moment to get to know each other before marriage.

Bundling!

What is the term for the practice of courting in bed together before marriage?

For men, marriage simply meant the end of aloneness, whereas for females it meant a complete upheaval of her life because often she was moving away from her support network of family and friends and taking on the responsibility of a household.

True!

True or False: In the 18th century, men would often try to rush into marriage, whereas women would try to postpone it as long as possible

By the 1900's the customs of courtship became increasingly more formal. This is likely due to the societal separation of men and women. For example, the couple had to be formally introduced before they were allowed to speak, and the young woman’s mother would ask the young man to call upon her daughter. Most courtship took place at the young woman’s home and there was an elaborate system of etiquette involved.

True or False: In the late 19th century and early 1900's, dating became less formal than before, and lost the elaborate system of etiquette

For less wealthy individuals, or for women who lived on their own, courtship activities had to take place in the public domain. Eventually the wealthy saw the less formal system of courtship in public as something to emulate. This was the beginning of what we know as “dating.”

From Private to Public!

"Dating" as opposed to "courting" is said to have officially started around 1920 because:

"Going Steady" meant more casual dating relationships which created a whole new set of courting rituals including tokens of commitment, a specified number of telephone calls and dates each week, and the implication of greater sexual intimacy.

Girls had their popularity judged by their ability to attract a ‘steady’.Getting a man by senior year of high school was an openly acknowledged goal. These couples often married soon after graduation.

True or False: After 1945, the new dating phenomenon known as "going steady" meant that girls were getting married older, because they had more options of partners, and little expectation of marriage

All of the above!

In the 1970s, what factors influenced more casual dating and an increase in premarital sex rates?

Early 1900's!

Approximately when did romantic love become socially regarded as the only true basis of marriage?

Don't worry, history is hard.   
Quiz References:
Cate, R., & Lloyd, S. (1992). Courtship. Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Publications.

More to Learn

You know your stuff, celebrate by bundling with bae!   
Quiz References:
Cate, R., & Lloyd, S. (1992). Courtship. Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Publications.

Reputable Dating Historian

Look at you, you know everything that there is to know about dating, don't you?   
Quiz References:
Cate, R., & Lloyd, S. (1992). Courtship. Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Publications.

Master of Courtship

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How Much Do You Know About Dating?

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