1950s Dating Culture

Introduction

• Focusing on 1950s American dating culture.
• Misconception that 1950s dating was more serious and clear-cut compared to today.
• Many aspects of 1950s dating are similar to modern dating.

Dating as a Pastime

• In the 1950s, dating was often a casual, social activity.
• Young people dated multiple partners and could date their friends' partners.
• • "Your Dating Days" (1954) describes modern casual dating as recreation.
• Importance of knowing many people to better understand one's ideal partner.

Teen Dating Culture

• Most advice and material from the 1950s focuses on teens and young adults.
• Casual dating was highly common among high school and college students.
• Going steady meant exclusivity but wasn’t always permanent.
• Exchange of rings and pins signified going steady.
• Ending a steady relationship was common and informal.

Dating Advice and Social Expectations

• Parents often encouraged teens to date many people before settling down.
• Dating advice columns like those from "Boy Loves Girl" provided guidance.
• Communication norms and gender expectations: boys asked girls out, but girls could ask boys to dances and would have to pay.
• Importance of being clean, tidy, and socially skilled.

Social Activities and Physical Affection

• Dates often included activities like bowling, skating, and diner outings.
• Terms for physical activities:
  • Kissing: regular and more casual.
  • Necking: more passionate kissing, possibly leading to hickeys.
  • Petting: could range from cuddling to more intimate actions.
  • Parking: private time in cars, usually involving some form of physical affection.
  • Getting fresh: a boy being too forward, often blamed on the girl.

Modern and Historical Similarities

• Modern issues like ghosting and casual attitudes towards relationships existed in the 1950s.
• Many 1950s dating tips remain relevant today: be yourself, be confident, and have interests.

Race and Societal Norms

• Interracial and interfaith relationships were discouraged due to societal challenges.

Engagements and Marriage

• Engagements typically lasted 6 months to a year, with around one-third ending before marriage.
• Breaking off engagements was advised over entering a bad marriage.
• Rebounds were common but generally not advised for successful marriages.
• Ideal marriage ages: men 25, women 21, usually followed by a one-year engagement.

Financial Management in Marriages

• Wives often controlled household finances, even if legally the money was the husband's property.

Conclusion

• Some aspects of 1950s dating (like casual dating) might be beneficial today.
• However, normalized infidelity and unclear relationship statuses were problematic.
• Similarities between 1950s and modern dating highlight unchanging human social behaviors.