Changes

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Courtship.jpg‎|right|frame]]

[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Courtship.jpg‎|right|frame]]

'''Courtship''' is the [[traditional]] dating period before [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engagement engagement] and [[marriage]]. During a courtship, a couple dates to get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement. Usually courtship is a [[public]] affair, done in [[public]] and with [[family]] approval.

'''Courtship''' is the [[traditional]] dating period before [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engagement engagement] and [[marriage]]. During a courtship, a couple dates to get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement. Usually courtship is a [[public]] affair, done in [[public]] and with [[family]] approval.

It includes [[activities]] such as dating where couples go out [[together]] for a meal, a movie, [[dance]] parties, a picnic, shopping or general companionship, along with other forms of activity. Acts such as meeting on the [[Internet]] or [[virtual]] dating, chatting on-line via instant messaging or e-mail, sending text messages, conversing over the telephone, [[writing]] each other letters, and sending each other flowers, songs, and gifts [[constitute]] wooing.

It includes [[activities]] such as dating where couples go out [[together]] for a meal, a movie, [[dance]] parties, a picnic, shopping or general companionship, along with other forms of activity. Acts such as meeting on the [[Internet]] or [[virtual]] dating, chatting on-line via instant messaging or e-mail, sending text messages, conversing over the telephone, [[writing]] each other letters, and sending each other flowers, songs, and gifts [[constitute]] wooing.

==Duration==

==Duration==

The [[average]] duration of courtship varies considerably throughout the world. Furthermore, there is vast [[individual]] variation between couples. Courtship may be completely left out, as in cases of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arranged_marriage arranged marriages] where the couple doesn't meet before the [[wedding]].

The [[average]] duration of courtship varies considerably throughout the world. Furthermore, there is vast [[individual]] variation between couples. Courtship may be completely left out, as in cases of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arranged_marriage arranged marriages] where the couple doesn't meet before the [[wedding]].

In the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom United Kingdom], a poll of 3,000 engaged or married couples resulted in an [[average]] duration between first meeting and accepted proposal of [[marriage]] of 2 years and 11 months, but yet with the [[women]] feeling ready to [[accept]] at an average of 2 years and 7 months. Regarding duration between proposal and wedding, the UK poll above gave an average of 2 years and 3 months.

In the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom United Kingdom], a poll of 3,000 engaged or married couples resulted in an [[average]] duration between first meeting and accepted proposal of [[marriage]] of 2 years and 11 months, but yet with the [[women]] feeling ready to [[accept]] at an average of 2 years and 7 months. Regarding duration between proposal and wedding, the UK poll above gave an average of 2 years and 3 months.

==Courtship traditions==

==Courtship traditions==

While the date is fairly casual in most European-[[influenced]] [[cultures]], in some [[traditional]] [[societies]], courtship is a highly [[structured]] [[activity]], with very specific [[formal]] rules.

While the date is fairly casual in most European-[[influenced]] [[cultures]], in some [[traditional]] [[societies]], courtship is a highly [[structured]] [[activity]], with very specific [[formal]] rules.

In some [[societies]], the parents or [[community]] propose [[potential]] [[partners]], and then allow [[limited]] dating to determine whether the parties are suited. In Japan, there is a such type of courtship called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miai Omiai], with similar practices called "Xiangqin" (相親) in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_China_Area Greater China Area].

In some [[societies]], the parents or [[community]] propose [[potential]] [[partners]], and then allow [[limited]] dating to determine whether the parties are suited. In Japan, there is a such type of courtship called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miai Omiai], with similar practices called "Xiangqin" (相親) in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_China_Area Greater China Area].

[[Parents]] will hire a matchmaker to provide pictures and résumés of [[potential]] [[mates]], and if the couple [[agrees]], there will be a [[formal]] meeting with the matchmaker and often [[parents]] in attendance. The matchmaker and parents will often exert [[pressure]] on the couple to [[decide]] whether they want to marry or not after a few dates.

[[Parents]] will hire a matchmaker to provide pictures and résumés of [[potential]] [[mates]], and if the couple [[agrees]], there will be a [[formal]] meeting with the matchmaker and often [[parents]] in attendance. The matchmaker and parents will often exert [[pressure]] on the couple to [[decide]] whether they want to marry or not after a few dates.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtship_in_the_Philippines Courtship in the Philippines] is one such known [[complex]] form of courtship. Unlike what is regularly seen in other [[societies]], it takes a far more subdued and indirect approach. It is [[complex]] in that it involves [[stages]], and it is considered [[normal]] for courtship to last a year or longer. It is common to see the [[male]] showing off by sending love [[letters]] and [[love]] [[poems]], singing [[romantic]] songs and buying gifts for the [[female]]. The [[parents]] are also seen as part of the courtship [[practice]], as their approval is commonly needed before courtship may begin, or before the [[female]] gives the [[male]] an answer to his advances.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtship_in_the_Philippines Courtship in the Philippines] is one such known [[complex]] form of courtship. Unlike what is regularly seen in other [[societies]], it takes a far more subdued and indirect approach. It is [[complex]] in that it involves [[stages]], and it is considered [[normal]] for courtship to last a year or longer. It is common to see the [[male]] showing off by sending love [[letters]] and [[love]] [[poems]], singing [[romantic]] songs and buying gifts for the [[female]]. The [[parents]] are also seen as part of the courtship [[practice]], as their approval is commonly needed before courtship may begin, or before the [[female]] gives the [[male]] an answer to his advances.

In more closed societies, courtship is [[virtually]] eliminated altogether by the [[practice]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arranged_marriage arranged marriages], where [[partners]] are chosen for young people, typically by their [[parents]]. Forbidding [[experimental]] and serial courtship and [[sanctioning]] only arranged matches is partly a means of guarding the [[chastity]] of young people and partly a matter of furthering [[family]] interests, which in such [[cultures]] may be considered more important than [[individual]] [[romantic]] [[preferences]].

In more closed societies, courtship is [[virtually]] eliminated altogether by the [[practice]] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arranged_marriage arranged marriages], where [[partners]] are chosen for young people, typically by their [[parents]]. Forbidding [[experimental]] and serial courtship and [[sanctioning]] only arranged matches is partly a means of guarding the [[chastity]] of young people and partly a matter of furthering [[family]] interests, which in such [[cultures]] may be considered more important than [[individual]] [[romantic]] [[preferences]].

Over recent decades though, the [[concept]] of arranged [[marriage]] has changed or simply been mixed with other forms of dating, including Eastern and Indian ones; [[potential]] couples have the [[opportunity]] to meet and date each other before one [[decides]] on whether to continue the [[relationship]] or not.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtship]

Over recent decades though, the [[concept]] of arranged [[marriage]] has changed or simply been mixed with other forms of dating, including Eastern and Indian ones; [[potential]] couples have the [[opportunity]] to meet and date each other before one [[decides]] on whether to continue the [[relationship]] or not.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtship]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]