Courting is to dating as cold is to hot. They are on completely different sides of the relationship equation. One has a very specific end from the beginning and the other has no clear purpose or intention. To use another analogy, dating is like a comma, whereas courting is like a period. This means that dating presents a man and woman with a number of potential ends to their relationship, whereas courting has only one: marriage. Courtship is not just an act, it is a philosophy. This philosophy believes three things: 1. Parents should be involved in their children's relationships, 2. Any relationship worth having will result in marriage, 3. [Intimacy] is a privilege for those who are married. Obviously, these three concepts make courting unpopular with mainstream society who seek to make their own decisions without input from parents, who do not believe that relationships have to result in marriage, and who believe [intimacy] is just a recreational activity. Dating is society's answer to a dislike of courting. Dating is popularized in the film industry... Dating people view the relationship through a temporal lens. The future is often not discussed and, if it is discussed, an argument usually results... it is pointless to act like you are married if you do not plan to get married. Dating is getting the milk without buying the cow. Dating relationships are started without any consultation from parents. Often, this is a tactic used because the man or woman knows their parents would not approve of the other person. Courting integrates parents into the very core of a relationship. From the moment the man and woman decide to move toward a relationship, the parents are brought into the picture and allowed to give their opinions. If parents disagree with the relationship, the relationship cannot proceed... This is a key difference between dating and courting. Courting acknowledges that when you are in "like'' with someone, you will often overlook the flaws that will destroy a marriage relationship. Your parents, on the other hand, are sober and unmoved by "physical attractiveness". We all put our best foot forward when trying to win someone's affections. Parents can see right through it and get down to business. Another benefit of courting and parental involvement is that once your parent approves of the person, they can be a staying force in your relationship... I would define courting as a purpose-driven romantic relationship. Whereas people enter into dating relationships without ever discussing expectations, when you enter into a courting relationship, both people know they are heading toward marriage. I tell you what, when I get in my car, I like to know where I am heading - especially with gas prices so high. You should be just as disciplined when it comes to your relationships.

Nona Jones