Are first dates important anymore?
With social media and the internet becoming such an essential aspect of creating a relationship, there has been confusion from students on how to propose dating. A recent study from the BBC shows that just one in ten Gen-Z’ers are “committed to being committed.”
Senior Soleil Santos and junior Danny Rozier started dating towards the end of the 2022-2023 school year, first communicating via Instagram DMs. The couple’s first official date was a trip to a restaurant at Tysons Corner Mall, ending with Rozier buying Santos a stuffed animal she still has today.
“I think it is kind of weird to start dating before actually going out on a date first, because you just don’t really know the person,” said Santos. “It takes a first date to know whether or not it’s what you want or if it is going to be awkward.”
Santos and Rozier think that social media is changing the typical way that dating is introduced, especially with “talking stages” becoming increasingly popular.
Senior couple Ana Deza and Diana da Frias expressed that they feel people who do not go on first dates do not take it seriously enough.
“Dates are something that are planned in advance. All people want to do is mess around and use each other. Most likely scared of commitment,” said Deza.
Hinge’s 2024 D.A.T.E. (Data, Advice, Trends and Expertise) report shows that statistically a majority of Gen-Z singles attempt to avoid rejection and embarrassment, instead of shooting their shot.
Freshman Alexa Harvey finds actual dates to be much more significant than just having occasional FaceTimes and internet based conversations.
“First dates are important. Getting to know the person will help break the awkwardness. It is more important to be in a relationship with someone in person than just on the phone,” said Harvey.
Gen-Z students do have first dates, but for how much longer?
