In a world dominated by dating apps, social media, and the pull of digital connection, the classic “date” is beginning to look like an object of the past. Sitting across from someone at a candlelit table or strolling through a pumpkin patch feels like an endangered activity.
In an age when connection is just a swipe away, it seems romance may be the true casualty.
So, what killed the date? Rising costs, lack of effort, the absence of role models or a blend of all three?
There was a time when dating was simple: people met, they “courted” each other, and they went through a ritual of getting to know one another through shared activities.
Joe Glass, a professor at Neumann University, reminisced about dating his wife, Mary, three decades ago.
“Dating was still rather old-fashioned back then,” he said. “Most folks followed the traditional path of meet, court, engage, marry, live together, children. Nowadays, it seems casual dating, or a ‘hook-up culture,’ is more prevalent.”
Glass believes this cultural shift from deep connection to surface-level interaction is leaving young people unfulfilled.
“We were created in love for love – not in sex for sex,” he said.
Neumann students, many of whom balance their studies and relationships, resonate with Glass’s opinions.
Neumann junior Danica Pedone said, “Dating is frustrating because we rely too much on things like a text back.”
Sophomore Alexis Palombi said, “Romance is dead.”
Palombi feels that after a while, many men and women stop putting effort into relationships. “They see going out on dates as ‘stuff that just happens in movies.’ Without role models who value relationships, they often don’t prioritize going out together.”
“I feel like in today’s day and age guys are really lazy and they don’t make the first move because they are afraid of rejection,” said Pedone.
Sophomore Madison Clark sees things a bit differently.
While she agrees that dating has changed, she thinks it hasn’t completely disappeared. Instead, social media and dating apps have transformed how people connect.
“Dating apps relieve the pressure of actually going out on a date. People can talk online instead of going out of their way to meet someone in person,” said Clark.
This ease of connection may make it easier to communicate, but it seems to have stolen some of the magic from face-to-face romance.
For some, cost is also a factor. The expense of dinners, movies, or even a simple coffee date adds up, especially for college students on a budget.
At Neumann, students like Palombi and Clark note that it’s easier to stay in, watch a movie, and avoid the expense altogether.
This brings up the bigger question: Have we replaced real-life romance with the comfort of staying in and scrolling?
One would think that social media, with its endless posts of cute date ideas, would inspire young couples to go out more. Yet, many people feel that platforms like Instagram and TikTok set impossibly high standards for what a date should look like.
If it’s not picture-perfect, why go out at all? Are we too lazy to pursue romance, or have our expectations been molded by an unrealistic online world?
According to a Pew Research Center survey, only 15% of American adults are single and actively looking for a relationship, and a large portion of those are dissatisfied with their dating lives.
In fact, Americans across the board seem to agree that finding a partner has become more difficult than it was 20 years ago. In today’s fast-paced, digitally driven world, putting in the effort to make dates happen has simply fallen out of fashion.
Dating today may look different than it did in previous generations, but as Glass optimistically states, “We will get love right.”
Whether it’s through quality time or small, meaningful gestures, traditional romance doesn’t have to be a thing of the past. In a world of swipes and DMs, it’s still possible to embrace the beauty of a real-life date.
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While dating may be dead for many, if you are looking to reignite the romance, here are four great local date ideas around Neumann University.
- Linvilla Orchards: Free to stroll through, with options to buy food, drinks, or take a hayride. Enjoy pumpkin shopping, a petting zoo, and more.
- The Curley’s Haunt: For a budget-friendly scare, this Delaware haunted house costs just $10.
- AMC Dine-In Theatre: Choose from a lineup of new movies coming out as well as old reruns brought back to the theatres.
- Strolling and Dinner in Media: Fantastic food options in various price ranges, and many beautiful sights to see and explore.
