Why Is Dating Important?
Time is not a healer but a revealer of truth, whether hidden consciously or unconsciously. By nature, humans are adaptable, and it only takes time to reveal the truth that has been shielded by emotions. Time reveals people’s priorities, attitudes, characters, desires, strengths, weaknesses, motives, intentions, values, convictions, and many more. Dating is just like a window period; it allows time to work its way and enables one to make the critical decision of whether to stay or leave; to engage or to refute.
Research shows that more extended dating periods are linked to more successful marriages and less divorce. Dr. Theresa Didonato, in an article on Psychology Today, pointed out a survey result carried out at Emory University on over 3,000 couples who were married:
“Compared to dating less than one year before marriage, dating one to two years significantly dropped the future likelihood of divorce, about 20 percent lower at any given time point. Dating three or more years decreased the likelihood of divorce at an even greater rate, to about 50 percent lower at any given point. This suggests that it can be helpful to have at least a few years together before entering a marriage. But these time frames can’t possibly apply to everyone. Some couples meet as strangers, while others have been friends for a long time before developing any romantic element. Adding some clarity, the perception of knowing a partner’ very well’ at the time of marriage reduced the likelihood of divorce by 50 percent at any given point as well.”
Dating varies in meaning to different people in different geographical locations or parts of the world. Some date for fun or just to pass time, some for benefits, while others date to have a long-lasting committed relationship, which will eventually lead to marriage. In his book ‘Things I wish I knew before I got married, Gary Chapman said that dating helps you answer the question, “To marry, or not to marry?” He describes dating as a stage of a relationship or a period that precedes marriage, which is necessary for getting better acquainted. However, the real essence of dating is to get acquainted with the person with whom you intend to commit. Discover his/her attitudes, character, strengths, weaknesses, interests, dreams, vision, values, friends, family, etc. It is a stage of uncovering in a relationship and deciding whether or not you are willing to proceed further to the next level.
Reasons Why Dating is Important
Friendship Building
The foundation of every successful marriage or long-standing relationship is friendship. Couples that are quick to get married without building friendships mostly end up in a master-slave relationship, which is extremely detrimental to the life span of any relationship; Divorce is inevitable. That’s why dating is important. It’s a time were friendship is built to avoid mishaps.
Compatibility Assessment
Everyone has beliefs, visions, dreams, passions, and values. Dating helps one know if their potential spouse believes in what they believe, values what they value and if he/she is headed in the same direction. You don’t want to be in a vehicle with someone who’s headed in the opposite direction away from your destination; it’s going to be traumatic. Dating enables both parties to discuss different aspects of their lives and harmonize their plans. There are certain things like faith that are non-negotiable, and it’s only in the place of dating that can be established.
Mutual Understanding
Dating helps partners to understand themselves better before venturing into marriage. It enables both parties to learn and discover each other’s strengths, weaknesses, likes, and dislikes and avoid expectations that may lead to disappointments and eventually turn the relationship sour. With mutual understanding, communication is managed appropriately. It’s during dating that you get to know what you can handle and what you cannot.
Enhances Communication
Misunderstandings, as a result of poor communication, is one of the major causes of broken homes. Dating enables both parties to learn the art of communication and know how best to relate. When to talk and when to keep quiet and listen. It helps couples to settle problems peacefully without resulting in conflict.
Understanding of Family Dynamics
Everyone hails from different family backgrounds, and most times, we’re the exact models of where we’re coming from. “The saying like father-son and like mother like daughter is not a myth,” says Gary Chapman. It’s also important that both parties, while dating, spend time with each other’s families and build bonds with them as well because they’ll form a major part of your life for a very long time.
Getting To Know Your Partner’s Friends
While dating, you get to know the kind of friends your partner has and the effects of such friendship on his/her life and eventually on your relationship. Someone once said, “As much as people refuse to believe it, the company you keep does have an impact and influence on your choices.” And that’s why it’s essential while dating to know the kind of people that influence the choices of your partner.
Mutual Development
Dating is a period where both parties build up themselves spiritually, morally, and intellectually. It’s like a game of making each other the best versions of yourselves, being each other’s support system. This helps both parties grow together, with none lagging.
Emotional Bonding
An emotional bond is one of the major building blocks of a long-lasting relationship, and dating helps both parties to build that strong emotional connection. Without this, the relationship may drift apart and feel distant.
Responsibility Allocation
The dating period enables both parties to plan how responsibilities like domestic chores or financial support will be shared in the home when they eventually get married. If this is not discussed, misunderstandings will arise due to unmet expectations, which will eventually turn the relationship sour.
Grows Commitment
Commitment is built and grows when both parties open up to each other and are honest about everything while dating; This builds trust and creates a safe atmosphere where one can openly share his/her thoughts without fear.
>>Also Read: Online Dating Vs. Offline Dating
Why Is Dating Important? – Final Thoughts
It’s obvious how important dating is to furnish a life-long relationship. Marriage is not a thing of trial and error; It’s for better or worse. That’s why it’s very important to take time and understand what you’re getting into and who you’ll be spending the rest of your life with. Dating is not for everyone; it’s not for the naïve or for people who want to play around, find satisfaction, fill a certain emptiness, or complete each other; dating is serious business.
When dating becomes an avenue to have fun or physical and sexual benefits, the purpose of dating is inevitably abused. It involves parties that are already complete and know where they are headed in life. Whenever it becomes a platform to meet a need, it will only go as far as that need can be met. Dating can only be as important as it should be based on the value the persons involved attach to it and their perspective and understanding of what dating is.
>>Also Read: How To Date If You Hate Online Dating
Time is not a healer but a revealer of truth, whether hidden consciously or unconsciously. By nature, humans are adaptable, and it only takes time to reveal the truth that has been shielded by emotions. Time reveals people’s priorities, attitudes, characters, desires, strengths, weaknesses, motives, intentions, values, convictions, and many more. Dating is just like…