Even though we know certain things are bad for us, many of us are a glutton for punishment.
I, for one, have a love/hate relationship with Diet Coke. I know it’s rotten for me, probably causing cancer and corroding my teeth sip by sip, and yet once or twice a week in a moment of weakness I drink my sweet poison and thoroughly enjoy it.
Apparently, most people date in the same fashion.
Best Dating Practices
Psychologists and sociologists agree that courtship’s based on infatuation and physical chemistry tend to fizzle out fast, because they fail to allow the relationship to evolve at a natural pace.
On the other hand, couples who build anticipation and focus on fostering a partnership rather than accelerating it are associated with more enduring satisfaction.
But even though we know rushing a relationship is bad for us, couples often jump in the sack and drink the sweet poison of a failed relationship before they allow it to begin and flourish.
Our desire for immediate gratification is killing our relationships.
So how quickly are we jumping into relationships? Pretty quick if you look at the research…
Dating Reality
A recent study by SeekingArrangement.com polled 100,000 people to find the average length of their romantic milestones in dating relationships.
“Participants in the new study revealed the average number of dates per week with a new partner was two, meaning that couples tend to say ‘I love you’ seven weeks into a relationship. First kisses tend to take place two dates or one week into the dating process, and the first time a couple has sex is, on average, after four dates to two weeks.”
Introducing a girlfriend or boyfriend to friends and family took members an average of six weeks, and moving in with a partner averaged out at around 30 weeks into dating.
In a culture of drive-through sex, are we surprised at skyrocketing divorce rates when we can’t even wait until the third date to hook up?
A Different Approach?
But there is another way?
What if we postponed sex to BUILD a great relationship.
Most young people don’t think purity is possible. I get it, because I used to be a skeptic too.
Until, I gave it a shot and by God’s grace ended up in the relationship of my dreams.
Just because you’ve already had sex or lived a life of promiscuity, doesn’t mean the next relationship can’t be different.
–Samantha
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Maybe it’s time to try something new?
Photo credit: Love/couple Ginnie Joubert via Pinterest
Sources:
Psychology Today.”The Colors of Love.” March/April 1993: 36.
Research Study by: Seeking Arrangement.com
