Dating these days

There is something clearly different about teenage dating these days.  Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad.  Many LDS  teenagers are trying so hard to live good lives in today's world and follow the council given in the "For the Strength of Youth" and I applaud them for that.  It is good to see that high standards are important.  However, In talking with my teens, the very way that relationships begin may be changing drastically from my days as a teenager and generations before me.
  I was talking with my teenagers the other night over dinner. Kids don't pass notes in classes or Hallways at school. Texting on Phones or chatting online has done away with that for sure. Although part of the fun of passing notes was the possibility that you might get caught and have your note read in front of the class. A dangerous venture, for sure that many adolescents have tried just because actually TALKING to the person was too hard to let them know that you thought that they were cute. Remember those days?
You would think that with all of the advances in technology that getting to know and communicate the opposite gender would be easier, but one restaurant owner in our neighborhood lamented that many kids these days just don't know how to communicate outside of the digital or virtual world. He has seen teens come in on dates for a dance and text each other while sitting across from the table.
Personally I used to love talking on the phone, but if you ask a teenager to call one of their friends, they just give you "the look" and say that you are weird.
Then there is the problem of general apathy towards dating in among our youth. Many high school boys do not feel like they should waste their money taking a girl to a dance, movie, or other activity that involves spending money, and inexpensive creative dates are too "cheesy".
  Dances have changed drastically as well. This is because many of those that do attend formal dances have come to expect such extravagant extremes as a limo ride and a $600 dress.  Many local parents are willing to subsidize this lifestyle in order to give their children such experiences and keep up with the "Joneses".  Really... Prom does not have to turn into a $1,000 affair. Hence the apathy. Too many unrealistic expectations.  Unfortunately it seems as though ALL of the dances at the local high school have morphed into formal dances and it can get very expensive to have a "prom" dress every few months.
  Many girls I have talked to feel that dating is weird and awkward.  There is allot of confusion as to what the rules are in regards to who pays etc.  Many girls feel very independent and do not think they should date and are annoyed by boys who try to be chivalrous.  They are busy pursuing their education and careers.  It is just easier to "hang out" with friends than to pair off when they are in college.  Some more traditional girls feel embarrassed when they assume that since the boy asked and picked her up that he would also pay and then it turns out that she needed to pay.
  My oldest is still in High school, and I can only hope that by the time she gets into college that there are boys out there that have figured that gaming isn't nearly as much fun as an evening spent with a pretty girl.
  I guess I am just old school and a hopeless romantic.


Paul and I on one of many of our fun "cheap"dates involving just a camera and a roll of film... and us!