I was watching the Duggers last night

I have not seen this but many people who home schooled were looking into this when I was home schooling my daughter. There is a very positive to this from the perspective that there is no intimate relations before marriage. Hmmmm, many young people would frown at this. Over the years I have realized that when physically intimate acts takes place before marriage, the man does not develop himself in the relationship as he should. Courtship without intimate physical relationship forces a man to socialize with the woman and learn about her. You will notice many young girls living with men and being frustrated and not knowing why. It is because the communication skills were never developed. There is so much to relationship. I liked what my mother taught me. She always encouraged us to pray for our mate, trust in God, and be friends with a lot of people to develop your social skills and begin to know what you might want in a mate. I never had to be jealous if someone else "stole" the guy I liked. Of course, intimate physical relationships were meant for marriage. My daughter is a very well grounded individual in this area. We have talked about relationships for many years. I have prayed for God to prepare her and a mate for her from the time she was very little on. I am still waiting to see what God will provide. I also pray that they will really love each other through good and bad times. The young men she has dated come to the house. I have been well pleased with all of her choices so far.

I believe dating include discreet and public courtship, it is mainly not religious based term for couple. Dating is a more casual term and a successful date does not necessary mean will result in marriage like courtship. I did find courtship is kind of weird probably is only acceptable to very religious people or members of certain religion groups.

In a lot of ways I can understand where they are coming from. They are trying to protect and teach their kids the importance of things from a Religious Christian standpoint and they feel you should not date someone just to date. When you date someone you need to be open to them, willing to talk and share your life, and at the same time be open and honest. I am sure they make sure they keep a tight hold to prepare their family for the future, and I am sure they want their kids to only date someone they would want to marry as well.

i'd prefer to date.. but thats just me. these kids are being raised in a quiverfull baptist religion, so they aren't having much exposure to the outside, everyone around them is just like them. they seem a lil immature to be getting married, but thats just me, i suppose if you can't kiss someone until you are married, u'll run out and get married pretty quick.

Courtship is the traditional dating period before engagement and marriage. During a courtship, a couple dates to get to know each other and decide if there will be an engagement. Usually courtship is a public affair, done in public and with family approval. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Courtship dating etiquette in Western culture has become more relaxed during the twentieth century, there are considerable differences between social and personal values. For example, when an activity costs money (for example, a meal), traditionally the man was expected to pay; but in recent times the practice of "going Dutch" (splitting the expenses) has become common and acceptable. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating I wasn't clear on the difference. But after reading, I think I prefer dating. The whole having people watching everything so that perhaps even a conversation isn't private would bother me.