Growing up, many of us got familiar with the words “dating” and “courting”. We gave it different meanings, ranging from being in love to preparing to get married, or even just being in a casual sexual relationship. It’s possible other meanings are ascribed to these words, yet in the midst of all this, the question still remains: Is dating different from courting?
For some, dating refers to unserious sexual relationships, while courting is a more serious form of dating. As much as these definitions seem correct (probably because we have gotten used to them), it doesn’t validate the definitions ascribed to them.
In my opinion, dating simply means “going on dates.” This involves the regular acts of getting all dressed up on a particular calendar date, smelling nice, stepping out of the house and heading to a destination with your date or to meet with your date.
Courting, on the other hand, means being in a romantic relationship with a person with marriage in view. In this light, you don’t have to court to date. You can go on dates with your family members, friends or even that special someone you like (or are not sure you like).
Dating simply means 'going on dates.' Dressing up, smelling nice, heading out or in. While Courting, on the other hand, means being in a romantic relationship with a person with marriage in view. Click To TweetI believe dating is a good time to discuss your expectations in a relationship. It’s the right time to talk about each other’s values, sense of reasoning, health matters (genotype to be precise) and other matters you both deem necessary for a romantic relationship to thrive. Let me also put it out there that as a believer, dating should not at any time or phase include sex, neither does courting, as sex is solely reserved for marriage. Amen?
Dating is a good time to discuss your expectations in a relationship. It’s the right time to talk about each other's values, reasoning, health matters and other matters you both deem necessary for a romantic relationship to thrive. Click To Tweet As a believer in Jesus, dating should not at any time or phase include sex, neither does courting, as sex is solely reserved for marriage. Click To TweetIn general, dating is a good time to discuss salient matters before getting overwhelmed with emotions. So it is not wrong to go on dates with as many people as possible as long as there is no romantic relationship in the mix. However, I believe there should be a balance to it. There should be intentionality to what you want, just to ensure the reason for the various dates is not to “catch cruise and eat free food”.
It is not wrong to go on dates with as many people as possible as long you are intentional about what you are doing. Just to ensure the reason for the various dates is not to 'catch cruise and eat free food'. Click To TweetIn this light, I believe a lady can actually go on a date with a different guy every weekend, till she finds someone worth her time and affection. At this point, she ought to stick with that person and dismiss subsequent dates with others. This is when courting begins. Based on this, I do believe dating is different from courting.
Do you agree with me or not? Please comment below.
Written Joy Jiths
Read next; How to Get Back Into The Dating Scene and 5 Areas Courting Couples Need to Be In Agreement – Loveology
believe a lady can actually go on a date with a different guy every weekend, till she finds someone worth her time and affection. At this point, she ought to stick with that person and dismiss subsequent dates with others. I have a question, which is do you date to court?. I feel if dating meaning going out with friends or family to have fun, I just have fun. Well to me dating is just going out to have fun,you can date yourself or anyone to have fun without any form of romance or sexual involvement or aim to court. Courtship can or should only come out of the friends you have within and not the random guy or babe you meant to date. Coz if we zero our mind on go out and do dating with the aim of looking for who to court, then I feel we are missing it. That’s my opinion not saying it is valid
Hi Kingsley. After much deliberation, we are lifegiva have come to the conclusion that is not about the name one gives to the activities e.g “dating”, “going out”, or “courting”. It’s the actions, nature of conversations, and intentions of the parties that matters.
You absolutely right…. Thanks for the opportunity to share my view from your view….
Absolutely fine,I agree with everything you said
Thanks!
Hmm.. I share similar views in the definitions for dating and courting. However, going on different dates with different guys every weekend or often sounds exhausting to me – that probably has more to do with my personality.
If I had to choose, I would prefer going on group dates. It takes off most of the pressure if it turns out you don’t want to be with the person romantically (especially for the guys). It also helps you learn and observe without being too obvious or/and too formal.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Ekene. You’re welcome!