It is ironic that as we approach the “season of love” I am
also working on the chapter on courtship for the book version of School Marms and Cowboys. The story is
set in the Flint Hills of Kansas at the turn of the last century and focuses on
the classic relationship between the cowboy and the school marm at a time in
history when the old ways were dying out and the country was on the verge of
depression. While the cowboy represents
the past, he must now adapt to a world where his skills are no longer of any
great value. To do this, he needs the
education and insight of the school marm.
The question is how these two unlikely people come together and endure
through the changes they must face to survive.
The answer is as old as time… courtship! Whereas dating takes the young girl away from
the watchful eyes of her parents, courtship usually occurs under the watchful
eyes of the parents or chaperones. It was fun, flirtatious, and sly. Courtship
was more like a dance. It included much posturing and maneuvering between the
man and the woman to catch the attention of the other and then telegraph one’s
interest in continuing the pursuit. Because the dance demanded a certain amount
of time spent in the company of others, the relationship could be tested under
different circumstances to see how either partner would respond. The outcome of
the “test” was clearly evident by the immediate feedback one received from
those in attendance. The length of the dance depended entirely on the
couple. Sometimes the pursuit was short
and progressed quickly to the heat of passion. Other times, depending on the
couple’s readiness to make a commitment to the relationship, the pursuit far
outlasted the passion.
While it’s true that
this arrangement did not result in significantly fewer instances of premarital
sex, it did give the parents an opportunity to get acquainted with the
prospective suitor. In today’s more mobile society, the parents may not ever
meet the boyfriend until they come home and find him sprawled on the couch as
if he owned it. Dating, and hence, courtship takes place away from the prying
eyes of those who might censor or test the relationship, and the period of courtship
is often eliminated altogether.
I must admit that I am totally mystified by the concept of
online dating. In this instance, “dating”
is little more than an online conversation leading to phone sex. While dating
may eliminate the fun of courtship, this arrangement seems to totally take all
the fun and enjoyment out of discovering a relationship. It’s a fantasy arrangement that takes place
in the minds of the participants and that is why it is so easy for one or the
other of the parties involved to take advantage of the other by feeding on the
fantasy. It is not surprising that someone involved in this type of
relationship eventually reaches a point where they throw all caution to the
wind in order to bring the fantasy to life.
Unfortunately, fantasies are often unrealistic and impossible to live up
to.
We all seek relationships with significant others whether it
be through physical attraction, or emotional need. In my book I am exploring
not only what chemistry sparks this interest in another, but how these
relationships change over time. I am particularly
interested in how relationships endure through pain, hardship and loss.
Does the dance
continue even though the music changes?
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