This Valentine’s Day, bring back dating

This Valentine’s Day, bring back dating

Old-fashioned Valentine's Day traditions include cards, flowers, and going on dates. Today, a lot of single young adults might wonder what happened to this last tradition, as a culture of casual sexual encounters has largely replaced dating.  This is a problem that's not just on manufactured holidays like Valentine's Day: Dating served an important role for society, and singles are suffering from its decline.

Traditional dating allows young adults to get to know one another, practice communication skills, and figure out if they are compatible before introducing the complicated emotions that come with getting physical. We hardly need a study to tell us something so obvious, but scientists have confirmed that when sexually aroused, both men and women make poorer decisions. Cooler jets lead to clearer thinking.

Defying ‘hookup culture,’ some students work to restore romance
Harvard University

Defying ‘hookup culture,’ some students work to restore romance

Kara Bettis

BOSTON – This Valentine's Day, some New England college students are working to save an endangered form of romantic relationship on their campuses – casual dating.

With many students looking for intimacy through casual sexual encounters, some have been burned by the "hookup culture" that has evolved on campus and are looking for something more than just sex in relationships. Some harbor religious objections to such banal interactions. Those who prefer something different are finding each other and speaking up about restoring romance and a return of more traditional dating.

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