Trends in dating patterns and adolescent development

Abstract

A developmental scheme has been proposed which recognizes clusters of variables of adolescent behavior in the area of heterosexual object relationship development. These periods-(I) stage of sexual awakening (13-15), (II) stage of practicing (14-17), (III) stage of acceptance (16-19), (IV) stage of permanent object choice (18-25)-reflect the developing capacity of object relationship and are a a recapitulation on a higher level of functioning of the separation-individuation operations of the infant. The dating patterns at these levels of development provide a sensitive indication of growth, and unworked-through development is reflected in immature patterns. The current trends in dating described are considered to be a function of the prolongation of adolescence and not pathological.

Mixed‐Gender Groups, Dating, and Romantic Relationships in Early Adolescence

“…Consistent with theories of dating stages (Feinstein & Ardon, 1973;McCabe, 1984), mixed-gender affiliations and dating formed distinct clusters of activities, and both were developmentally typical of early adolescence. As well, evidence was found for a sequence in which adolescents moved from same-gender friendships to mixed-gender affiliations, then to dating, and finally to a romantic relationship.…”

“…Before dyadic relationships emerge, young adolescents begin to participate in mixed-gender groups that provide opportunities for cross-gender associations and for dating (Connolly & Johnson, 1996;Feiring, 1999). Traditional dating-stage theories have hypothesized that these early romantic activities form a developmental sequence that leads progressively to romantic relationships (Feinstein & Ardon, 1973;McCabe, 1984). Despite their theoretical importance, empirical support for the claim that these activities represent a stagedevelopmental pathway to romantic relationships is scarce.…”

“…Adopting a stage-developmental approach, traditional dating theories suggest that romantic activities are sequentially organized so that adolescents move progressively along a continuum of increasingly intimate romantic contact (Feinstein & Ardon, 1973;McCabe, 1984). This progression provides adolescents with a sequenced introduction to romantic relationships.…”

Do Deaf Individuals’ Dating Scripts Follow the Traditional Sexual Script?

“…This situation with the participants' emphasis on having fun together may draw their scripts closer together and reduce gender differences. Finally, dating typically proceeds through several stages, from simply getting someone to go out with you, to practicing, to more mature sexual interactions (Feinstein and Ardon 1973). Deaf individuals' teenage years typically are not the same as the average hearing teenager.…”

Romantic Relationships and Adjustment in Early Adulthood: The Role of Cross-sex Experience in the Context of Social Norms and Support

“…Romantic experiences can be viewed as sequential developmental stages (Feinstein & Ardon, 1973;Mahler, 1973), with adolescent romance serving as a precursor or "practicing" for lasting adult relationships. can be expected to deviate from the outlined steps, especially when these are compounded with social or cultural conditions (Cohen, Kasen, Chen, Hartman & Gordon, 2003).…”