The Dating Game

I think the rules of the Game of Dating have changed in the last couple of decades. I am finding that what is now refered to as Dating used to be called Going Steady several years ago. I think the idea of monogamy has been taken just a tad to far in the society of our young people.
Now, don't misunderstand me - I'm no polygamist. I fully believe that the best form of marriage is one man and one woman, to mature together becoming like one. But, I think it takes time to find who that person is.
I remember my days in High School (I'm 25 now), when I didn't want to be tied down to one girl, but play the field. Now, sure then, I was just out for meat; but, I think I was on to something. I figured it would sure cut down on all the hastle of jealousy. I think I got this idea from a Beach Boys song: "None of the guys go steady b/c it wouldn't be right, to leave the best girl home on a Saturday night..." No more of this "cheeting" BS - we weren't mature for such heavy responsibilites then.
However, nobody else would play by my rules - you "went out" with one person at a time. And, these relationship usually stuck 'til either (or both) of the parties were sick of the other. But, this is how it goes. This is the way the Game is played. And now, our marriages end up just like every other Dating Relationship we've been in. We've developed the habit of just breaking up when things get hard. A lot of my friends might have done better not to have gotten married in the first place - or even started Dating (or Going Steady, or whatever you want to call it).

I see Casual Dating as a viable way to find out what you like and don't like in the opposite sex, as well as a way to learn how to be a Man (or Woman, should that be the case for you) - that is how to treat them right.
Now, I haven't been testing this theory very long; but, my hypothesis is that in Dating Casually, I should be able to find the characteristics that I like in a woman, as well as find out, generally, how woman like to be treated, without the devistation that has come time and again from that "break-up".
There is a lot of Freedom in Casual Dating b/c the rejection factor isn't as intense. If we are seeing more than one person, and haven't put our all into a certain relationship, the pain that does come will be less, and diffused among the other relationships. It's easier to apply what we've just learned b/c we don't have to wait to get back on our feet to get back in the Game - we're still in it. It's just one Play that didn't work, there's still plenty of Game left to win.
Casual Dating also affirms ourselves. We become more confident in ourselves, becoming more complete people. Then, when the time does come to settle down with that Special Someone, we'll have more to give - we won't rely so much on the other person to make us feel complete.
True synergy can happen, and the two of us can be greater than each of us alone. Now, this does happen in most marriages; however, we're so incomplete, that it's the incompleteness that is magnified. But, if we've gone through the process, we'll find a greater appreciation of ourselves, and be able to find the person who compliments our own strengths, and supliments the places where we're weak.

Now, this is all still theory, for the most part. I am just starting to impliment the idea, so I encourage feedback, and I'll keep you posted as to how it all turns out.

Cheers, All!