As courtship and dating styles have altered over the last century, relationships have become increasingly less personal, more possessive, and less successful.
That's my thesis in progress.
The explanation of this paradigm shift will begin with the outlining of when it happened. Previous of the second World War many courtships happened thanks to a friend's recommendation or what is now a "blind date" set up. The "old school" dinner date was typical. Relationships were taken series and time was actually put into them. Then as cars began to become more common, dates and relationships became less interpersonal and emotional and more physical. Cars gave privacy and room to experiment. Continuing on, with technology at the popularity it is now, relationships have become even less personal. Dates consist of less interaction face to face and relationships that are clearly not for marriage are distinctly materialistic, sexual, and rather quick.
I'll then progress to the changing implications behind terminology. One specific example is the term "going steady." For a while the term going steady referred to a couple seriously considering marriage. Now the term is something that anyone does, but it no longer implies intended marriage. The perspective behind this term and many others lead relationships into being less personal and more possessive.
I'll then explicitly explain what these changes ensued. From less personal relationships, to the "I'm his, I'm her's" idea, and then even more to less successful relationships. Keep in mind this isn't explicit to marriages. When taking this into account we can account for all the failed relationships that happened and prevented a divorce.
http://www.plosin.com/beatbegins/projects/sombat.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/02/upshot/the-divorce-surge-is-over-but-the-myth-lives-on.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2014/03/27/divorce-is-actually-on-the-rise-and-its-the-baby-boomers-fault/
http://singlemates.net/dating/dating-in-the-past-compared-to-todays-dating/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fighting-fear/201301/dating-then-and-now
This is a great start to your essay! You have everything you need to have covered outlined, and it's good that you've already started researching a bit. Plus, the organization makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI like your topic choice, especially since it's close to mine- examining PDA. I think you have a decent idea of how to frame your essay. I like that you are including multiple aspects such as different kinds of dates, new technology and terminology changes. Since ultimately this will be turned into a TED talk just be careful as to not become to biased towards what you think a "good" relationship is because you may end up unintentionally offended some people.
ReplyDeleteThe scope of your essay seems to be well balanced in its focus on the causes of this shift, while still allowing you to explore multiple ideas. The organization also makes sense and you seem to have a good idea of what caused the shift in an interesting way that will be engaging for the readers of your essay. This could also be an interesting TED Talk, making it an excellent topic!
ReplyDeleteNathan, interesting topic! (While I'm thinking of it, I want to let you know that Stephanie has proposed a pretty similar topic, so it might be good to touch base with her.)
ReplyDeleteYour focus seems solid, but I do suggest revising your thesis slightly by including HOW courtship and dating styles have altered, not just THAT they've altered. While this doesn't have to be an incredibly long inclusion, it will make your thesis much more precise and frame the shift more clearly.
Hope this helps!
By the way... on a personal note I want to let you know that I agree with your premise. Sadly, I don't think this new "style" of dating, if we could call it that, is constructive in any way.
ReplyDelete