"Understanding Relationships: The Fine Line Between Dating and Courting and the Influence of Perceptions on Modern Love"
During the weekend, I asked my little cousin "what do you understand by dating?" His response amused me, he said: dating is a way of practicing divorce in marriage. From his understanding he sees dating as a lifestyle embraced by the youths to unwind their pleasurable desire; oftentimes, dating cannot be done with one partner despite the promises of sticking to each other. However, his school of thoughts may be valid but it shouldn't be seen as a standard understanding of dating.
My friend shared the story of his brother who dated his wife for over 4 years before they ended up being married. Maybe "dating" shouldn't be the written word to use but it's the term they used to define the relationship. Religiously, "courting" is the right word used to define two people who are in a relationship to end up being together. Just as courting can result in marriage or not, dating does the similar thing; what differentiates the two is purpose for the relationship. This is why it is advisable to define your relationship before going into it.
Based on my cousin's opinion as earlier mentioned, situations can make one define life differently. In a defined relationship, it is expected it leads to marriage but some factors tend to hinder the outcome. One of the major factors is "fear." Based on my conversation with the young ones, with the relationships they see around, they tend to doubt if there is ever a happy home or relationship. This happens to influence their decision in the choice of spouse, they fear that this relationship may not last or the man can change to a wolf later in future. The fear of the unknown will cause them to end a defined relationship that was profitable.
Lesson:
It is important we don't use people's relationship to define how ours is, else it will affect the relationship. One's definition of love can be unique to that person, so don't pressure your spouse to do the same based on what you saw.