The Decline in Dating and How to Revive It

Many people today, especially young single adults, lament that traditional dating has declined in favor of "hanging out," a more casual and noncommittal form of socializing. This shift in dating culture has made it more difficult for individuals to form meaningful romantic relationships and ultimately find a spouse.

There are some key reasons dating has changed for the worse, according to the sources. There has been a shift in the cultural tide. The rise of divorce, declining birth rates, and a general aversion to commitment in society have made it less common for individuals to seek committed relationships. This cultural shift, according to Elder Dallin H. Oaks, serves the "devil's opposition to the Father's plan" which relies on keeping covenants and commitments. In addition, the women's movement has empowered women with more choices and opportunities, leading some men to become reluctant to take traditional male initiatives in dating, such as asking for dates. I mean if the message is that women can and should do anything a man can do, why would they? If you take away someone’s role and purpose in society what going to entice them to do anything at all? 

Furthermore TV shows often depict "hanging out" as the norm for singles, further reinforcing this behavior. Why would a man or a woman for that matter put in any effort when they could just not. If the expectation became that there were no expectations wouldn’t you start to slack off in regards to planning a date? The meaning of a date has shifted to imply seriousness and commitment, making it more elaborate and expensive. This expectation discourages frequent, casual dating, which was previously a valuable way to get acquainted with a potential partner. The Church's wise counsel to postpone dating until age 16 may have inadvertently led some young adults to excessively delay dating, fearing commitment as well.

The decline of dating also has a number of negative consequences. Young single adults feel immense pressure to navigate the dating scene "correctly" and find a spouse quickly, leading to significant stress and anxiety. We need to take the pressure off dating, the point is to meet people and get to know them, not marry them on the spot because you agreed to go out. There are also fewer opportunities to even meet a potential partner. The decline of dating means that young people have fewer opportunities to meet and get to know individuals of the opposite sex in a romantic context. The reluctance to engage in traditional dating contributes to the postponement of marriage and family formation, which is a central part of God's plan. The lack of a dating culture leads to higher risk of unhealthy relationships, the prevalence of "hanging out" and "hooking up" often involves alcohol and sexual activity, which can lead to toxic relationships and emotional pain.


Fortunately, there are valuable insights into how we can revive dating and create a more healthy and fulfilling dating culture. If we encourage simple, inexpensive, and frequent dates that don't imply a serious commitment, we allow individuals to get to know each other without feeling pressured. In addition kids need to abandoned the checklist mentality. Instead of focusing on superficial qualities, encourage young adults to get to know a person's heart and soul. This involves looking for potential in a partner and recognizing that personal growth occurs throughout a relationship. But dates don’t have to mean a future romantic relationship or an end to the contact between to people. We should embrace friendship. If there was a greater emphasis on the importance of building genuine friendships with individuals of the opposite sex without the expectation of romance, this would help create a more relaxed and enjoyable social environment.


Ultimately, reviving dating requires a collective effort to shift cultural norms, promote healthy attitudes towards relationships, and encourage young people to engage in genuine connection and courtship. By implementing these changes, we can foster a dating culture that leads to stronger relationships, happier marriages, and thriving families


Many people today, especially young single adults, lament that traditional dating has declined in favor of "hanging out," a more casual and noncommittal form of socializing. This shift in dating culture has made it more difficult for individuals to form meaningful romantic relationships and ultimately find a spouse.

There are some key reasons dating has changed for the worse, according to the sources. There has been a shift in the cultural tide. The rise of divorce, declining birth rates, and a general aversion to commitment in society have made it less common for individuals to seek committed relationships. This cultural shift, according to Elder Dallin H. Oaks, serves the "devil's opposition to the Father's plan" which relies on keeping covenants and commitments. In addition, the women's movement has empowered women with more choices and opportunities, leading some men to become reluctant to take traditional male initiatives in dating, such as asking for dates. I mean if the message is that women can and should do anything a man can do, why would they? If you take away someone’s role and purpose in society what going to entice them to do anything at all? 

Furthermore TV shows often depict "hanging out" as the norm for singles, further reinforcing this behavior. Why would a man or a woman for that matter put in any effort when they could just not. If the expectation became that there were no expectations wouldn’t you start to slack off in regards to planning a date? The meaning of a date has shifted to imply seriousness and commitment, making it more elaborate and expensive. This expectation discourages frequent, casual dating, which was previously a valuable way to get acquainted with a potential partner. The Church's wise counsel to postpone dating until age 16 may have inadvertently led some young adults to excessively delay dating, fearing commitment as well.

The decline of dating also has a number of negative consequences. Young single adults feel immense pressure to navigate the dating scene "correctly" and find a spouse quickly, leading to significant stress and anxiety. We need to take the pressure off dating, the point is to meet people and get to know them, not marry them on the spot because you agreed to go out. There are also fewer opportunities to even meet a potential partner. The decline of dating means that young people have fewer opportunities to meet and get to know individuals of the opposite sex in a romantic context. The reluctance to engage in traditional dating contributes to the postponement of marriage and family formation, which is a central part of God's plan. The lack of a dating culture leads to higher risk of unhealthy relationships, the prevalence of "hanging out" and "hooking up" often involves alcohol and sexual activity, which can lead to toxic relationships and emotional pain.


Fortunately, there are valuable insights into how we can revive dating and create a more healthy and fulfilling dating culture. If we encourage simple, inexpensive, and frequent dates that don't imply a serious commitment, we allow individuals to get to know each other without feeling pressured. In addition kids need to abandoned the checklist mentality. Instead of focusing on superficial qualities, encourage young adults to get to know a person's heart and soul. This involves looking for potential in a partner and recognizing that personal growth occurs throughout a relationship. But dates don’t have to mean a future romantic relationship or an end to the contact between to people. We should embrace friendship. If there was a greater emphasis on the importance of building genuine friendships with individuals of the opposite sex without the expectation of romance, this would help create a more relaxed and enjoyable social environment.


Ultimately, reviving dating requires a collective effort to shift cultural norms, promote healthy attitudes towards relationships, and encourage young people to engage in genuine connection and courtship. By implementing these changes, we can foster a dating culture that leads to stronger relationships, happier marriages, and thriving families


Source’s Referenced 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2006/06/dating-versus-hanging-out?lang=eng

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/bruce-a-chadwick/hanging-hooking-celestial-marriage/

https://latterdaysaintmag.com/article-1-12419/#google_vignette

https://latterdaysaintmag.com/four-bad-ideas-that-make-lds-dating-stressful/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=scot-maurine-proctor&utm_content=Consultant

https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/improve-your-conversation-skills/

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