Gender and Relationships The history of courtship and dating has evolved over the years, and there are important gender differences that impact personal relationships involving males and females. Focusing on romantic relationships, we will examine Stewart and Arliss' distinctive theories about views, expectations, and desires to have a commitment to an individual. Some believe that the longer the courtship, the greater the chance of having a real relationship, perhaps the rest of your life with this person. Today we live in a fast-paced society where things like "being constant" are no longer the norm and everything has accelerated since the 1950s. “The purpose of marriage has shifted from economic necessity to companionship, resulting in dramatic changes in obligations and expectations. There has been a shift in how we measure a person's 'success' to include physical vitality and enjoyment of life along with material outcomes. Divorce and “Serial monogamy” has become increasingly acceptable, making people anxious to maintain relationships. Changes in social attitudes and improvements in contraception have allowed women to see sexuality as separate from reproduction and as an avenue for self-expression and pleasure. People rely on personal relationships to provide a sense of value that is lacking in the public sphere due to increased technology, mobility and bureaucracy." , Mating and Relationship: Dating and Courtship in Modern Society" 2012) My parents' relationship has had its ups and downs, but it has lasted to this day and they have been together for forty years. They used certain roles, rituals and behaviors aimed at making their love and passion for each other last a lifetime together. Inve...... middle of paper...... the relationship will work and remain faithful to both parties. Works cited"Dating, mating and relationships. : Dating and courtship in modern society. "Final reports on science education. April 12, 2003. Web. March 23, 2012. .WebsiteTagsEditDeletePaik, Anthony. "Hookups", Dating and relationship quality: does the type of sexual involvement matter?" Science Direct 39.5 (2010): 739-53. ScienceDirect Web. March 23, 2012. Journal article Edit Delete Williamson, Terez. "Why rituals they can improve your relationship." March 24. 2012. .