Dating is a stage of romantic relationship in Western societies whereby two people meet socially intending to access each other's suitability as a prospective partner in an intimate relationship.
It is a form of courtship, consisting of social activities by partners, either alone or with others. The protocols and practices of dating, and the terms used to describe it, vary considerably from country to country and over time.
In recent meaning, it refers to two people exploring whether they are romantically or sexually compatible by participating in dates with the other. With the use of modern technology, people can date through their mobile phones or computers or arrange to meet in person.
Dating may also involve two or more people who have already decided that they share romantic or sexual feelings toward each other. These people will have dates regularly, and they may or may not be having sexual relations.
Courtship on the other hand is the period of development towards an intimate relationship wherein a couple get to know each other well and decide if there will be an engagement, followed by a marriage. A courtship may be an informal and private matter between two people or may be a public affair, or a formal arrangement with family approval. Traditionally, in the case of a formal engagement, it is the role of a male to actively "court" or "woo" a female, thus encouraging her to understand him and her receptiveness to a marriage proposal.
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally recognised union between people, called spouses, that establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between their family members, and between them and their in-laws. It is considered a culture universally, but the definition of marriage varies between cultures and religions, and over time. It can be said to be an institution in which interpersonal relationships, commonly sexual, are acknowledged or sanctioned. In some cultures, marriage is recommended or considered to be compulsory before pursuing any sexual activity. A marriage ceremony is called a wedding.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DATING AND MARRIAGE.
Many considered dating as a compulsory activity to be done before marriage. Thereby some other part might ignore dating, the duration to which date also varies, amount of years or just for a few months depending on the personality of any of the couple.
One main difference between dating and marriage is the engagement among couples and not so in dating relationships . After taking a good look at the suitability and compatibility from both angles, studying their characters and then going off for dates, at the end of the day couples engaged in dating each other get a break up among themselves. Meanwhile marriage is the opposite. When you get married legally to your spouse, it is not so easy to conclude breaking up. But rather a divorce would take place. And this would be made legally by the court of law. The only option to get automatically divorced is the presence of death from either side, and the decision is still with the widow/widower to remarry or not.
RELIGIOUS BELIEF ABOUT DATING AND MARRIAGE.
Diversity in cultures, customs and traditions, norms and religious practices makes a great influence on marriage around the world. The Christianity belief differs from that of the Muslims and so the traditional worshippers. All things being equal, another factor that could cause the global change on marriage and dating is the advancement in technology.
But for this project I would be majoring in the two main religions which are Islamic and Christianity.
Islamically, scholars concluded that dating as practiced currently in major parts of the world does not exist among Muslims. Muslims do not enter into a one-on-one intimate relationship, spending time together in the name of knowing each other. In Islamic culture premarital relationship among members of opposite sex are forbidden. Islam believes that the choice of selecting a partner is so much important and a decision to be taken once a life time, and should be taken as seriously as any other decision in life with prayers, family involvement and also careful investigations.
But for the Christians A Godly relationship is necessary and it should be one in which both parties continuously pursue the lord. When two persons enter into a relationship, whether it be through marriage or dating, there are two souls involved and each person is accountable for his or her pursuit of a relationship with Christ.
It differs perhaps depending on culture. Per my experience and most over here, the first stage is courting. The guy courts a lady first and if they happen to like each other then the dating stage begins and they become "steady" or boyfriend and girlfriend. After that comes marriage if they so desire.