Teenage Dating in the 1950s
Текст для контрольной работы по
аудированию для 4-го урока 11-го класса учебника
В.П. Кузовлева
Dating is definitely an American phenomenon. People date because it is
“enjoyable, pleasant, and valuable”, and they think that they can gain rewarding
experiences from it. Besides, dating allows young people to be with each other without
their parents interfering.
Double-dates are used to initiate the whole dating process because it
creates a more open environment conducive to easy conversation. So the initial shyness of
a young couple can be eased away by the presence of other company, especially if the
double date is a “set-up” or a blind date for one couple. After double dating, you
would naturally move onto single dating. And should the relationship move on, as they
often do, it would move into the ubiquitous “going steady” stage.
This concept of “going steady” took on a new meaning in the
fifties. Before the war, “going steady” was a stage young people took only if they
were seriously on the path to marriage; however, after the war, the phrase was used more
loosely. If a couple was said to be “going steady,” they would date one another
exclusively and feel as if the other “belongs” to him or her, but this occurred
without any serious thoughts of marriage.
Getting a date has always been complicated. In the 1950’s, it was
unheard of for a young lady to ask a man for a date or to initiate the dating process. Men
were supposed to do the asking.
One way of getting a date is to be set up a “blind” one where each
person in the relationship has never met the other before. This method is especially
useful and practical if a guy is shy about asking a girl out on a date. It might help him
feel more adequate in the dating scene by blind dating, especially if it is his first
dating experience. The same could be said about girls.
In the fifties, there were many options for a young couple looking for
a good time. The most popular places to go were those that were cheap yet fun, much like
dates of today. Such popular places were ice cream parlours, pizza parlours, drive-ins,
bowling alleys, coffee houses and record shops. The most popular and economical activity
available for teenagers was watching movies.
Back in the fifties, it was pretty much understood that boys pay the
expenses of the date. The concept of “Dutch” dating (where the cost is split between
the pair) was not acceptable back in the fifties. Both boys and girls were embarrassed by
the idea.
Teenagers in the fifties changed the rules of dating and, consequently,
formed the basis of what today’s teenagers consider normal dating. After the Second
World War, teenagers became more vocal and publically visible. They were a new source of
power, independent from their parents and ready for a change.
Decide whether these statements are True or False.
1. People date because it is “enjoyable, pleasant and valuable”.
2. Double dates are used to help shy people “to break the ice”.
3. Nowadays if a couple “goes steady” that means the young people
are going to marry.
4. To get a date in the past was much easier than nowadays.
5. “Blind dates” were very popular among teenagers.
6. A “blind date” means that the people go to the date with closed
eyes.
7. The most popular places for dating were the same as today.
8. The most popular and economical activity for teenagers in the 50s
was walking.
9. In the 50s “Dutch” dating was very popular.
10. The rules of dating in the 50s were changed by the teenagers’
parents.
By Natalya Plyugina,
School No. 44, Kaliningrad
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