Courting Customs in America

Courtship In The Colonial Times

American courtship began when the colonies were first being formed in the new land. The challenge of forming new towns, farming the land and learning survival skills were often more than the colonists could handle. These tasks required a greater amount of man power to meet the demands; the rituals of courtship were kept short and simple an order to facilitate quick and early marriages. Courtship was less parent-oriented and more a simple necessity of interdependence that depended on the financial status of the future husband and his ability to support a wife and a family.

The parents focused much less on the search for the perfect marital partner for their daughter and focused more on the wedding her in order to bear children and thus help support the enormous work load.

Many believed that love developed only after a marriage progressed and not before. In time, there was a movement towards marrying for love-a love that involved openness and sincerity in a future mate.

The seeking of a mate was not necessary because couples often knew each other from social activities, such as church or school. These settings gave the couple the necessary time and opportunity to get to know each other in a structured setting.