Dating is a part of the social fabric for adolescents. Some adolescents start dating earlier than others. Most teens’ dating expectations come from romantic Bollywood and Hollywood movies or web series on OTT platforms, but real-life dating is not even a little close to Netflix and Disney movies or porn. Other expectations come from their peers’ experiences of dating who are in the same boat as them. Thus, going on a first date gives you a high voltage of emotions. However, it might turn awkward rather than romantic due to unreal expectations.
Dating has two extremes of excitement and fear, having a spectrum between them, from being excited to date someone to how to go about dating or risk rejection. When we start dating, we all have these questions and unrealistic expectations; however, time and experience sail us through these things.
Before you start dating – think !!!
- Are you dating because all other of your friends are dating?
- Are you dating to post photos with the so-called someone on social media
- Are you dating because your friends told you to do so?
- Are you dating to forget about your previous relationship?
You may feel isolated, and no one understands you; thus, having a partner will make this feeling go, but it might not as well. It is time you are vulnerable and in a hurry to get into a relationship. It can lead to a vicious cycle of dating someone for the sake of it. As we start dating, these questions are essential to consider. It helps us navigate what we expect from a date and how to take it forward.
Online v/s Face-to-Face dating
Research studies indicate that teens’ dating style has been drastically changing, especially with online dating apps coming in. One of the biggest influences on dating is the presence of social media. As social media is a part of a teen’s life, it’s an accessible platform and easy to connect with people.
Online dating is easy, and things are at your fingertips. You can remain connected with your date virtually 24X7 through messages, video calls and much more. The app operates the process of finding people with whom your interest, opinion, and ideologies match so effortlessly. However, online dating comes with a risk of fake IDs being caught in vogue. Knowing people in person is significant, especially if they are the ones we like. One of the dangers of technology is sexting or sharing nude images. These photos and messages become a weapon of threatening or blackmailing as the relationship ends, making you face the worst. Be aware of the risk of sharing pictures or videos online, as they can be made public in just a blink. Things shared online are saved forever and can backfire anytime. Dating people in-person keeps you away from the risk of getting caught in fake profiles.
However, it requires time and effort to know their opinion, ideologies, and interests might take weeks or months. However, dating Now, one of the biggest trending questions is – Should we find a date online or face-to-face? Both have pros and cons; what matters most is what you are comfortable in and which is safe for you.
Dating Tips
As we feel lost in the pool of information on Google about how to know if the person is a perfect date? How to be safe on your date? And the above-discussed part of online v/s faces to face dating. Thus, Here you go with a list of common things to watch out on date, be it online or face-to-face –
1. Peer Influence
Seeing friends in a dating culture, you may also wish to have a partner. But is it a good idea? Research confirmed that adolescence is a period when peer influence is profound. Date a person when you feel attracted to or like them. Also, striking a balance between how much time one spends with spends and with their date is tusk to handle. It can also be a matter of jealousy when you give too much time to friends, especially friends of the opposite sex.
2. Meeting your date in public
A safer option is to meet in a public or crowded space like a mall, a known marketplace, a coffee shop or a cafe. It is safer than being in someone’s house or a park. No one is stopping you from going on fun dates such as ice skating, water parks, amusement parks or trampoline parks. The point is to be in a crowded place till you know the person properly.
3. Respect
It is the foundation of any bond, whether in terms of opinion, interest or privacy. Getting respect and respecting your date are both crucial. Teasing, name-calling and making fun of behavior and belief may look like a normal part of dating. However, it has boundaries and should never hurt your date’s emotions or embarrass them; that’s disrespect.
4. Communication
Communicating with your partner about why you are dating them? What you like about them, sharing your interest, opinions and much more. These are part of knowing and making each other feel we are on the same page in this newly forming bond.
5. Consent
Feeling safe and comfortable and making your date feel the same is the ultimate principle in a romantic relationship. Consent plays a vital role as you both are trying to understand each other taking consent help in making smooth shifts. Asking for it is not enough; being prepared for a ‘no’ is equally important. Respecting your date’s decision helps in growing a deeper bond with them.
6. Take things slowly!
Take your time to move to an intimate relationship quickly; don’t rush. Knowing someone takes time and effort, so let things go step-by-step.
7. Track the beverage you consume
Get your beverage yourself, and make sure to leave it unattended. There is a risk of it being spiked. If someone offers you a beverage, refuse them politely or take it but don’t consume it.
Are you in a mental space to swipe right?
Dating and mental health are connected as mental health during dating forms the basis of later romantic relationships. While dating, you may feel everyone has figured out who they want their partner to be except you, or you feel lost about it or have no ideas. But stop! You are not the only one. Millions of adolescents feel the same but feel embarrassed to talk about it. Teenagers go through a multi-facet of changes from physical, social, emotional, and biological to developing sexuality. Besides dating, there is social and academic pressure present all the time around you. To make things overwhelming, dealing with parents, transitioning from school to college, and struggling to think about what I want to be in life.
1) Low self-esteem
Negative dating experiences can make you question many things about yourself, from how you look to your communication skills to how you sit. It can result in feeling low about yourself.
2) Feeling overwhelmed
Balancing dating with personal life and studies can be overwhelming. You may sit with your date tired, unable to focus on your partner. It is known as dating burnout. But if you are not showing your best on dates, going is pointless. Another rejection or ghosting will worsen things when you are already in an unhealthy space. You can take a break rather than continue the loop.
Dating is a part of life don’t rush through things, take your time, be safe and take care of your mental health as well. These will make you have a healthy romantic life.
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