1. Dating, Single Life, & Mate Selection
Perhaps the characteristic of mate selection in America that most distinguishes is us from the rest of the world is that we get to do it!!!!!
There are no arranged marriages, chaperones, childhood betrothals

2. Dating, Single Life, & Mate Selection
The topic of mate selection has become increasingly complex as American lifestyles have changed
Increasing numbers of Americans are delaying marriage, cohabitating and divorcing; some never marry at all

3. Why do we date?
Dating fills time between puberty and marriage

4. Why do we date?
Dating is a way to gain social status based on whom and how often one dates

5. Why do we date?
Dating is opportunity for the sexes to interact and learn about each other.

6. Why do we date?
Dating meets ego needs

7. Why do we date?
Dating leads to mate selection for most individuals

8. Dating and communicating
Poor communications and lack of commitment are 2 major problems and we know that these are the major building blocks for successful relationships.
Sexual intimacy seems to take away from these important factors

9. Changing sexual mores
American sexual mores have become increasingly liberal
Popular culture – movies and music
Premarital sex
Historical double standard for women

10. Changing sexual mores Sexually transmitted diseases
Lets look at appendix A for a little bit

11. Changing sexual mores Unwanted pregnancies are a problems
Pro choice vs. Pro life: is this something that should have been communicated before you had sex?

12. Changing sexual mores Early commitment and isolation
The quality of sex
Usually pretty poor
What about date rape?

13. Date rape and courtship violence
Generally women of all ages, races, and marital status report that most incidents of violence are committed by an acquaintance rather than by a stranger

14. Date rape and courtship violence
Men often appear to confuse friendly with sexually interested
Combine this scenario with alcohol and a stage is set

15. Date rape and courtship violence
Many men and women do not discuss their sexual intentions openly and frankly
Differences exist in perceptions of sexual intent

16. Date rape and courtship violence
Differing expectations about what stage in the relationship sex is okay
Miscommunication is more common when alcohol or drugs are being used
The use of token resistance by some women may create a belief in some men that protest encountered is not really meant by women
NO MEANS NO

17. Date rape and courtship violence
Date-Rape Drug Prohibition Act of 2000

18. Dating patterns
There is great opportunity for informal opposite sex interaction
Dating is less formal

19. Dating patterns
There no longer seems to be a set progression of stages
Casual dating of numerous people
Multiple dates with fewer persons
Going steady
Cohabitating or getting engaged
Married

20. College dating Hooking up or being joined at the hip Bad dates
Exploitation
Rape culture

21. Social channels of love
Dating varies with social class, ethnicity, and cultural background.
Dating is homogenous
Propinquity

22. Postponing marriage & cohabitation
Greater acceptance of sex outside of marriage
Education
Career choices
Self-fulfillment

23. Cohabitation and Marriage
Cohabitating partners are more unfaithful and fight more often than married couples
Higher rates of domestic violence
Marriage after cohabitation tends to be more unstable

24. Cohabitation and Marriage
People who are divorced are more likely to cohabitate afterwards
Self-fulfilling prophecy?
Enter a relationship partly to see if it will last, and by keeping the possibility of an easy out you be helping the break up from the beginning

25. First impressions Physical attractiveness
Halo effect- the tendency for first impressions to influence succeeding evaluations
Give a person traits that are not even there
Future disappointments

26. Physical attractiveness
Usually an advantage however
Some persons tend to avoid highly attractive people
Fear of rejection
Sought after by others in the future

27. Engagement Until recently it has been a pretty formal stage
Increased age for marriage
Remarriages
Cohabitation

28. Functions of engagement
Where will live?
Children?
Money?
Employment
Premarital medical exam
Premarital counseling