What is the Difference Between Dating and Courting

The main difference between dating and courting is that dating may or may not result in marriage while courting always result in marriage.

Dating is casually getting to know a person/persons you may eventually have a romantic relationship with while courting is being in a romantic relationship with someone, with the intention of marrying. Dating is a common form of romantic relationship we can observe all over the world. Courting, on the other hand, is a bit traditional, but it has many positive points and some communities still practise it.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Dating 
     – Definition, Characteristics
2. What is Courting
     – Definition, Characteristics
3. What is the Difference Between Dating and Courting
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Courting, Courtship, Dating, Marriage, Romance

What is Dating

Dating refers to two people meeting socially for companionship, typically to evaluate the other’s suitability as a partner in a romantic relationship or marriage. In other words, dating involves getting to know a person for a possible romantic relationship.  Dating does not usually require serious commitment as this is just the stage where a couple gets to know each other.

Dating allows people to freely spend time with a person without the promise of a long-term partnership or commitment. It is when they spend time together and start to get to know each other that commitment begins to grow. Since there is no commitment or a relationship between the couple, there are also fewer expectations from each other. It is as the relationship between the couple grows that expectations also start to grow. Sometimes, dating may also involve physical intimacy. When the couple goes on many dates and gets serious about each other, they may move on with the relationship. 

What is Courting

Courting involves being romantically involved with someone, with the intention of marrying. It can also be described as developing a deep and meaningful relationship with someone, which involves courtship. Courtship is the period when a couple develops an intimate relationship while getting together to know each other and deciding if there will be an engagement, followed by marriage. All in all, the end goal of courting is marriage. Most often, the family of the couple, especially parents, supervises the relationship as the couple gets to know each other and evaluate their future as husband and wife.

There are three main characteristic features of courting: courting does not involve sexual intimacy, it happens with parents’ approval, and the relationship ends in marriage. In the modern world, courting may seem strange and outdated. However, this practice is still carried out in some communities, especially in deeply religious communities.

Difference Between Dating and Courting

Definition

Dating is casually getting to know a person/persons you may eventually have a romantic relationship with while courting is romantically involved with someone, with the intention of marrying.

Marriage

While dating may or may not end up in marriage, courting ends up in marriage.

Dating

Dating does not necessarily involve parental approval or supervision, while courting involves parental approval and supervision.

Physical Intimacy

Dating may involve sexual intimacy, while courting does not involve sexual intimacy.

Emotions

While dating can be casual and may not involve any deep emotions, courting is serious and involves deep emotions.

Conclusion

Dating is casually getting to know a person/persons you may eventually have a romantic relationship with while courting is being romantically involved with someone, with the intention of marrying. The main difference between dating and courting is that dating may or may not result in marriage, while courting always result in marriage.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Young couple clanging wine glasses in a bar during a date night out” (CC0) via Wallpaper Flare
2. “Happy Woman” By Jesus Arias (CC0) via Pexels