<P> In America, in the 1820s, the phrase "date" was most closely associated with prostitution . However, by the Jazz Age of the 1920s, dating for fun was becoming a cultural expectation, and by the 1930s, it was assumed that any popular young person would have lots of dates . This form of dating, though, was usually more chaste than is seen today, since premarital sex was not considered the norm . </P> <P> The concept of modern dating was initially seen as frustrating and mocked the moralistic values of traditional courtship . One of the reasons there was this disagreement was that they did not want their children growing up doing what many did during the sexual revolution in the 60's . The act of dating is seen to be very temporary, with such acts seeming as if they are "on one day" and "off the other". Most young people that come into relationships usually have multiple partners before settling down into marriage . Unlike courtships, couples that are on a "date", do not require a chaperone or someone in their presence to prevent anything unholy from happening . In recent research, it was found that marriage rates have dropped among people generations before . With the lack of courted relationships in today's society, fewer people are getting married and practicing premarital sex . A large percentage of modern families are started with children and marriage following after . Traditions are often referred to as a thing of the past, although there are many people that still follow the old - fashioned courting route for their relationships . </P> <P> Courtship is used by a number of theorists to explain gendering processes and sexual identity . Scientific research into courtship began in the 1980s after which time academic researchers started to generate theories about modern dating practices and norms . Both Moore and Perper found that, contrary to popular beliefs, courtship is normally triggered and controlled by women, driven mainly by non-verbal behaviours to which men respond . </P> <P> This is generally supported by other theorists who specialise in the study of body language . There are some feminist scholars, however, who regard courtship as a socially constructed (and male - led) process organised to subjugate women . Farrell reports, for example, that magazines about marriage and romantic fiction continue to attract a 98% female readership . Systematic research into courtship processes inside the workplace as well two 10 - year studies examining norms in different international settings continue to support a view that courtship is a social process that socialises both sexes into accepting forms of relationship that maximise the chances of successfully raising children . </P>

Where did the term going steady come from