Going retro could fix it.
 | By Michal Leibowitz Editorial Assistant |
Is there a better way to date? |
In March 2022, a reality dating show called "The Courtship" premiered on NBC. The show was marketed as "The Bachelorette" meets "Bridgerton," and it prescribed its heroine a Regency-inspired romantic regimen replete with familial opinions, dance cards and an English castle backdrop. |
The show flopped (and — spoiler alert — the winning relationship dissolved), but it's easy to see why the producers thought it could work: Retro courtship is having a cultural moment. |
It's not just "Indian Matchmaking," "Wedding Season" and "Married at First Sight." Recent years have brought a reported increase in interest in matchmakers, including among the young. |
The new interest may be just a fad, but in an essay today, I argue that reclaiming older forms of meeting and falling in love is an idea worth taking seriously. |
Traditional courtship offers salves for many dating woes. Its emphasis on early communication around wants and needs helps prevent unnecessary pain and heartbreak. Its preference for setups over swiping helps create deeper matches that may have a better shot at lasting. And even more traditional prescriptions around delaying sex — and in that way postponing attachment — have some wisdom. |
Not everyone wants a committed, long-term partnership. But for all those Americans who are looking for something beyond the casual, it might be time to stop swiping and try something new. I mean, old. |
Here's what we're focusing on today: |
Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com. |
Contact us If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment