Differences in Dating Culture Between the Generations... (girls, kids, sex)

[SifuPhil]

Originally Posted by laorbust61

When it comes to dating and romance, boomers think with their head more, and Gen's X and Y think with their heart and their hormones. Boomers believe more in natural selection, on the hunt for the mate whose attributes can provide the most desirable relationship for them. Gen's X and Y are more "democratic" more accepting of uniqueness and eccentricies, even more spiritual in their selection of a mate.

Interesting points, but don't forget about the Hippies - they were a radical departure from the norm. When you talk about uniqueness, eccentricity and spirituality you can't go much further back than the 60's to find blazing examples of those in our population. Until that time a premium was still placed upon being a clone, of fitting-in with everyone else. But with their advent society was forced to change their ways of thinking.

And "Free Love"? Need I say more?

There was a thread here on C-D a while ago about generational attributes, and I believe I argued for the abolition of the commonly-used labels. My brothers were born in the mid 40's; I was a late-50's kid. Fifteen or so years difference chronologically - not a whole lot, and we could all be considered Boomers - but OH what a difference in cultural standards and sexual mores. As Djuna said, the differences within the so-called Boomer generation are vast.

[JustJulia]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

Do you notice any difference between dating culture (norms, customs, trends) between Baby Boomers, Generation X and Generation Y?

Boomers being born in 1946 - 1964

Generation X being born in 1965 - 1980

Generation Y being born in 1980 - 1995

Do you notice a generation being more traditional/formal than another? I know the sexual revolution and the rise in casual dating occured in the 1960s, so I'm wondering what progressions there have been since then. It seems this generation is still the loosest in history, though. For instance, do Gen Y or Boomer women tend to be more materialistic? Are we (Gen Y) much more likely to do it on the first date? Was there alot more romance with the Boomers?

Honestly, I don't know how much stock to put in those labels. One person might fit into the box, but his family won't, and he is the product of his family. The bigger the picture, the less it fits. For instance:

My parents were born in 1949 and 1951: Boomers
I was born in 1973: Gen X
My younger sister was born in 1980: Gen Y
My cousins were born in 1988 and 1992 (something like that): Gen Y
My eldest daughter was born in 1996: whatever comes after Gen Y

I am of the same generation as my sister and cousins; our fathers are brothers. But why would I be Gen X while they are Gen Y? My sister and I grew up in the same house, with the same parents, watching the same TV shows and going to the same schools.

[Fullback32]

I'm a Boomer (1962), and I do see a vast difference between the way things were in the 1970s when I was a teen and watching my daughters going out on dates. Too often I had to school these boys on simple things: if you take my daughter to the Homecoming Dance, you will present her with a corsage...you will pay for her dinner....simple stuff like that. Are they really this clueless?

My eldest daughter who is now 21 was all good with my teaching her boyfriend at the time of how things work. My younger daughter who is 18 has told me that (1) things are different now, (2) I need to understand that it is okay for her to pay and (3) her boyfriend is afraid of me. I told her that I don't agree with her on counts 1 and 2. My answer to 3? "That's a good thing."

[cdubs3201]

My parents are baby boomers. They were married at 23 and had a house with a dog and child by 27.

I'm 27 now, just started seeing a girl that has some serious LTR potential, but I'm no where close to being married.

My mom married my dad whom she met in college and he was the only man she had ever been on a date with.

[LakeShoreSoxGo]

Originally Posted by victorhe33

Theres more of a "hooking up" culture currently with people sleeping around, thats for sure.

As opposed to the 1960's and 70's? Does the term free love mean anything? (boomers) Or ,if it feels good do it? (generation x)

[LakeShoreSoxGo]

Originally Posted by ChessieMom

Man is this forum ever evidence of THAT.

Oh please if you boomers had the internet coming of age you would have been doing the same thing.

[SifuPhil]

Originally Posted by LakeShoreSoxGo

Oh please if you boomers had the internet coming of age you would have been doing the same thing.

Yeah, but using rotary-phone dial-up and B&W tube-monitors would slow down our passions.

[ChessieMom]

Originally Posted by laorbust61

When it comes to dating and romance, boomers think with their head more, and Gen's X and Y think with their heart and their hormones. Boomers believe more in natural selection, on the hunt for the mate whose attributes can provide the most desirable relationship for them. Gen's X and Y are more "democratic" more accepting of uniqueness and eccentricies, even more spiritual in their selection of a mate.

Oh that's rich!

[North Beach Person]

From observing my students:

My benchmark is that I'm 56.

We went places on dates, most of my students don't. They meet at one or another's house. They do that because many of them still don't drive as a senior in high school.
They play video games on these "dates". If they do go somewhere they meet there after being dropped off by a parent (like we did-IN 8TH GRADE).
Parents will spring for a limo for the Prom but will sit with their kids while at the Prom (yes, the parents show up and stay). They at least drive themselves there.

[SifuPhil]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

...Parents will spring for a limo for the Prom but will sit with their kids while at the Prom (yes, the parents show up and stay). They at least drive themselves there.

I would have died of embarrassment if my Mom had come along on Prom night.

Not to mention damnation for all eternity for what we did after the prom...