Teenage dating in the 1950s

Getting a date has always been complicated. In the 's, it was unheard of for a young lady to ask for a date or to initiate the dating process. The men were supposed to do the asking and calling. One young man as a guest writer to the February issue of Seventeen magazine wrote:. Growing up has taught me one thing: I've also found that once he meets a girl -- and becomes interested in her -- a boy must indulge in a sly, artful practice called pursuit.

But those first few moments of "pursuit" are always hard to start, so an emphasis on "lines" was created during this time period. It all depended on how the girl responds and reacts to the line given to her.

Teenage Dating in the s

These pieces of heavily saturated compliments were cast at women, and the women were supposed to nit-pick them and -- not believe what was said but -- be flattered by them Merrill Another way of getting a date is to be set up on a "blind" one where each end of the relationship has never met the other before. This method is especially useful and practical if a guy is shy and bashful about asking a girl out on a date. It might help him feel more adequate in the dating scene by blind dating especially if it is his first dating experience. The same could be said about girls.


  • dating someone lives overseas?
  • How Younger Marriages Influenced Dating in the 1950s.
  • eritrean dating uk?
  • wiggle match dating?
  • why i have no interest in dating?
  • Younger Marriages.
  • dating agra?

Blind dates could also have the same effect on them as it had on boys Sadler Many handbooks for young ladies were published in the postwar time period that addressed the issue of how to attract boys and how to obtain a date. One handbook entitled Always Say Maybe suggests ways in which a girl can lure a boy's fancy toward her. Some of the chapters focus on how to approach a man, how to earn a date, how to start interesting conversation, and how to be interested in what they are interested in, like sports in particular. The book is written in a somewhat comical manner; however, it does instruct its readers on how to act around boys.

One chapter reads, "Be gay, be charming, be thinking. One reason that dating was an important factor in the 's is that it is present almost everywhere, even in the classroom. Many schools were equipped with educational films which were intended to help teenagers live good clean lives. The films about dating in the fifties were real gems of cinema.

These films were simply representations of adult views and adult preferences but created with teenage actors.

‘Engaged to be Engaged’: Dating Commitment

They served as reminders to teenagers that there were customs and certain boundaries in dating, and if they violated them, there could be serious consequences. Many films choose to depict the results of sexual intercourse by showing severe cases of syphilis and unwanted pregnancies. More innocently though, these types of films showed how one gets a date and what to do on a date, according to the mores of adults.

Most dates ended with a friendly handshake which shows that these movies were created by adults for their children to watch and hopefully follow Smith In the fifties, there were many options for a young couple looking for a good time. The most popular places to go were those that were cheap yet fun, much like dates of today.


  1. Teenage Dating in the s | Газета «Английский язык» № 38/;
  2. How Dating has Changed Since The s » Frost Magazine;
  3. 'A man should always use heaps of flattery to woo a woman.'.
  4. .
  5. jewish dating sites usa?
  6. brandy and chris brown dating?
  7. friendly dating bets?
  8. The September issue of Seventeen pointed out that the most popular places were ice cream parlors, pizza parlors, drive-ins, bowling alleys, coffee houses and record shops The most popular and economical activity available for teenagers was watching movies. There they could be immersed in the dark with their date, enjoy a snack, and be entertained for a while. Perhaps, if the movie was played in a drive-in, you would not even have to watch the movie to be entertained!

    Many movies were released during this time period that would appeal to teenagers too, like Pillow Talk starring the talented Doris Day and handsome Rock Hudson. Other places teenagers went for fun were dances, school sporting events, sock hops, malt shops, and amusement parks. Dances, in particular, made up a large part of dating. There were not only school supported dances, such as the sock hop appropriately named because patrons were to take off their shoes so as not to scuff the basketball floor , but there were proms and sorority dances to attend as well.

    In more modern times, girls who attend these kinds of functions usually stay with the date that brought them or whoever they invited to come. But it was perfectly normal, even preferred by older generations at least if a young lady was "passed around" the dance floor.

    How Dating has Changed Since The 1950s

    If you were not cut in on, you were a social disgrace. This practice was actually apparent in the times before the 's, but by the early first few years of the decade, it had pretty much disappeared. In , one teenager attending Texas Christian University disclosed that "to cut in is almost an insult" Bailey This is where the modern idea of going to dances emerged from.

    Modern Girl Lives Like A 1950s Teenager for a Day!

    Back in the fifties, it was pretty much understood that boys pay for the expenses of the date. They take their girls out and show them a good time, but all of this costs money. Girls were, and some would insist still are, expensive to please especially if one takes them out frequently. The concept of Dutch dating was not acceptable back in the fifties. Both boys and girls were embarrassed by the idea. It was suggested that if a young man needed help paying for the date then the girl should give him some money before the date so the boy can still look like he paid for the meal and entertainment.

    Teenage Dating in the 1950s

    This method was suggested but rarely ever practiced Bailey Of course, today Dutch dating is quite normal. However, this number may increase depending on the events of the month. Before cell phones and answering machines, it was required that both parties be on time for their date. In the s, it was considered absolutely rude to meet your date at a restaurant or public space.

    Though a chaperoned date was ideal, and certainly the norm for a school dance, group dating was encouraged as a way to have young adults keep one another in check though, it seldom worked. In the s, however, it was non-negotiable. Though this custom now seems rather outdated, it was considered rude for a woman to place her order directly with the waitstaff.

    'A man should always ask a woman for the date.'

    It was assumed that most weekend evenings would be spent together and that all formal obligations would be attended as a couple. In the fifties, there were many options for a young couple looking for a good time. The most popular places to go were those that were cheap yet fun, much like dates of today.

    Such popular places were ice cream parlours, pizza parlours, drive-ins, bowling alleys, coffee houses and record shops. The most popular and economical activity available for teenagers was watching movies. Back in the fifties, it was pretty much understood that boys pay the expenses of the date. Both boys and girls were embarrassed by the idea. After the Second World War, teenagers became more vocal and publically visible.