As students enter high
school they have more opportunities
to do things, because they are
older and thought to be more mature.
They get to drive, meet new
people, go to the high school dances
and in most cases, begin to date. But
what about those who don’t date?
Students don’t date for many reasons.
Usually it’s because they don’t
want to, because they are not allowed
to by parents or because of religious
reasons.
Jane* is a sophomore and
chooses not to date because she
doesn’t want to do so.
“Personally, I find it useless,”
said Jane, “and no offense,
I just find it a waste
of my time.”
Jane is quick to
assert that it is not
that she can’t
get a date or
that she
hasn’t
been asked out; shehas gone on dates before. However,
based on past experiences and her friends’ experiences,
dating is not something that interests her
all that much.
There are also some individuals who choose not
to date for religious reasons. For example, some of
West’s Muslim students don’t date.
Tradition dictates that Muslim’s are supposed to
stay “pure” for their husband/wife, according to
sophomore Tayyaba Ahmad. They also don’t believe
in premarital sex, said Ahmad.
“When you date, there is always some temptation,”
said Ahmad, “And when you date, that can lead to
sex.”
Senior Wafiqah Sadiq, who is also a Muslim, has
the same beliefs as Ahmad. She rejects conventional
customs saying, “People live together as boyfriend
and girlfriend, and they have sex and don’t get married,”
said Sadiq.
Ahmad added, “Dating is like a roller coaster.
There’s just too much emotional baggage added on.”
Mary*, a junior and Muslim from Eastern Europe,
also doesn’t date because of religious reasons.
“God has chosen the person you’re going to
marry,” she said. “How you meet them, where: it’s
all written down. You just don’t know who it is until
the time comes.”
Sophomore Kate, who is a Hindu Indian, isn’t forbidden
to date. It’s more like a family tradition for
her.
“Nowhere in my religion does it say,
‘you’re not allowed to date,’” said
Date. “It’s more the Indian
culture that doesn’t
accept dating.”
Kate was
brought up not to date
and doesn’t find anything
wrong with that.
According to respondents,
In religions such as
these, young men and
women aren’t placed into an
arranged marriage. If they
see someone of the same religion
in whom they’re interested,
they can talk it over
with your parents to see if it’s
all right for them to get to
know each other. So, they
do have some say in the matter.
Contrary to popular
belief, not all adolescent
date. The art of
dating just isn’t for
everyone.