Choosing a partner to build a family and share a life with may arguably be one of the most important decisions in one’s life. Dating, courtship and mate selection, in one form or another, is virtually universal. However, it takes on many different forms with many different practices and rituals, both formal and informal.
What do you think is the purpose of dating customs and rituals? What dating customs have been a part of your dating experience? What are some of the benefits and some of the challenges of dating someone from another culture or religion?
Choose a country, specific religious ideology or other social or cultural group that enforces some rules or norms for dating. Describe the practices and their meaning. Be specific. (Note: if you use one of the choices in the readings make sure that you include additional details and information above and beyond what is in the material presented). In your opinion, are these practices relevant today? Why or why not?
Did you know:
- People in China hang lanterns, and young people look for first love on Spring Lantern Festival, which occurs on the first full moon of the new year.
- People in Brazil exchange gifts, flowers, and chocolates on the Day of the Enamoured, which occurs on June 12.
- People in Israel have rejuvenated an ancient holiday and pronounce love, propose marriage and give flowers on Tu B’Av, which occurs in July or August depending on the year.
- Review these facts:
- Dating Customs Around the World (Links to an external site.) (Fact Monster)
- Marriage Through Time (Links to an external site.) (Fact Monster)
Read at least five of the following articles:
- Cross cultural relationships (Links to an external site.) (Counselling Directory)
- Dating Customs Around the World (Links to an external site.) (HealthGuidance)
- A Cultural Perspective on Romantic Love (Links to an external site.) (scholarworks.gvsu.edu)
- 8 Dating Customs In Other Cultures We Should Follow (Links to an external site.) (Good Guy Swag)
- Mexican Dating Rules (Links to an external site.) (Our Everyday Life)
- European Dating Culture (Links to an external site.) (Our Everyday Life)
- Dating Differences Between Cultures (Links to an external site.) (Our Everyday Life)
- Undressed: This is what dating culture looks like across the US (Links to an external site.) (okcupid)
- The 20 biggest differences between dating in the UK and the US (Links to an external site.) (Insider)
- Marriage proposal customs from around the world (Links to an external site.) (SBS)
Please note that several of these articles are opinion pieces. Read them critically, deciding for yourself whether you agree or disagree. If you have experience or specific knowledge, for example on particular cultural practices, which contradicts the information presented, make sure to include that in your discussion.
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