How Technology is Influencing Traditional Courtship Roles

Technology has had a major impact on dating, especially since the invention of texting, social media (like Facebook and Twitter) and now with smart phones in nearly everyone’s hands, communication has become as simple as a mere touch of a button. While this has changed the way we keep in touch with friends and family, conduct business and virtually all other aspects of our lives, it’s interesting to see how this has also impacted the way we interact with those we are attracted to and interested in pursuing. Traditional types of courtship have all but drifted to the wayside in the wake of new technological ways of flirting. What was once a love note now comes across in the form of a shorthand text message. So is this helpful or harmful for our relationships?

Today old styles of courtship are disappearing. Modern means of communication seems to also be taking cultural identification with it. With the use of cell phones, the increase use of texting and social media has all but transformed the courtship roles forever. Now with new smart phones and dating applications available for them, yet another amazing phenomenon is occurring between the sexes, making dating and courtship even easier.

What are the Advantages?

The obvious advantages of these new technological means of communications become obvious as society begins to use them more and more. Communicating with others has been made more convenient, especially in regards to meeting and finding a partner. Communication technology has also empowered women like never before, giving them the ability and means to initiate and develop a real romantic relationship.

Texting and Facebook has opened more doors for both men and women than ever before in human history for finding a compatible partner, participating in correspondence, dating and courting without the hindrance and view from parents. This has had an enormous appeal to younger age groups. Having a text mate or mobile dating is popular with younger groups, and is a prelude to a physical date where both text mates can agree to meet at a certain place and time.

What are the Disadvantages?

One of the unfortunate disadvantages of how technology is influencing traditional courtship roles is that women and men been more aggressive in their dating and courtship activities, which has accelerated the dating process with ill effects. There have been countless cases of online romances being develop through Facebook, smart phones and now traditional texting at such a fast pace, such couples do not have enough time to properly get to know one another. This often leads to relationship break ups at a rate as quickly as they have developed. People today want things to be instant, and that includes dating, unfortunately the pitfalls of these new technologies is that the value of being patient is being lost, along with traditional courtship roles.

Elizabeth Perkins is a relationship and health writer who was also a relationship columnist in college. She is interested in how technology has affected traditional gender roles and dating patterns and is also interested in psychology and alternative medicine practices like self hypnosis.