The rules of the dating game have
changed for everyone. If you're single, in your 40's or
50's, and coming out of a relationship that lasted many
years, you may wonder if this is the same world it was
when you were dating in your 20's. If you're in your 30's,
and have been dating on and off for a while, you must have
noticed how difficult this game has become in the last
few years. And if you're in your 20's perhaps you date
by the new rules, but are you aware of the new roles?
Hunting is no longer men's
exclusive territory. It's suddenly alright for women to ask
men out on a date, and in singles' parties you often see
girls doing the asking both for dances and telephone numbers.
Quite a few women date abundantly, and are increasingly hesitant
of becoming attached to any one man. Many men believe that
they have become more mature about dating than some women
are. Men in the new dating game feel more like the hunted,
and at the mercy of a new genre of a super-woman they don't
know how to handle. They don't understand what is expected
of them, and therefore they are finding the ritual of dating
confusing and to some degree threatening.
Women, too, after centuries
of having no option to voice their true opinion, and after
years of accumulating a "collective" hurt and anger, are
bewildered by the numerous possibilities they now face to
exercise their emerging confidence, independence and assertiveness.
The new power that modern society has surrendered to women
and the equal opportunities that have been opened to them
have helped a lot of women make a tremendous progress in
their professional life. However in their personal life,
and in their relationships with men, disorientation and perplexity
have often ruled.
What we have been witnessing
in the last decade or two which is only now becoming obvious can
be best defined as confusion in gender roles. In courting
or pursuing a relationship a lot of women have been showing
drive and initiative (traditionally identified as male energy),
and as a result, a lot of men have taken a more passive role.
This is the first
part of the article: Take Charge of your Dating
Life.
Come back to read more
If you would like
to express your opinion,
please send your comments to:
dating@canadiansingles.com
