How The Courtship Evolved Into A New System Of Dating

In an excerpt (“Dating”) from the book titled “From Front Porch to Back Seat: Courtship in Twentieth-century America” (1998), Beth L. Bailey examines courtship at the beginning of the twentieth century and how courtship evolved into a new system of dating. She explained some rituals in the courtship system and what social rules were followed before changes in societal views on dating. The setting of urban life itself forced changes on the “old-fashioned” way of getting to know someone who you may want to enter in a relationship. The added freedom of dating in public spaces was explored and with this freedom, money, and power became topics.

Courtship was viewed by most as being more innocent than how it evolved. She references several etiquette articles and publications at the turn of the century which advised on unspoken rules and politeness expected from both the man and the woman. These practices ranged from how much time the participants spent with each other, how often they would communicate and what would be discussed. Courtship or “calling on someone” was performed out of the public eye and in the family home of the woman so they could be watched and defined rolls could be met. The social rules that were set in place were used as a test for the potential

When courting or “calling on someone” was prevalent, women held the ability to choose who came to court them, and the women had control over the venue. The new dynamic put men in power having to initiate dating. This new system made money to be a significant factor between the sexes. The men were expected to pay for the evening, and it was considered aggressive for a woman to show the initiative. Opinions published viewed dating as a purchase for companionship. The relationship and power between men and women became more complicated with the change in dynamics and change in social