Is it just me, or is finding a date really hard sometimes?! I'm not talking about a random hookup, but a simple "let's grab coffee and get to know one another" kinda date!
Dating in the Millennial Generation has become convoluted and confusing as a whole, and not in a "it's awkward because I have a crush on her and I can't talk" kinda way. It's confusing because we have an influx of new methods of meeting people and dating that have never existed before, our parents never had to deal with the reality of Tinder or the broader expansion of the "hookup culture." This article is the first article in a 10-part series that intends to explore the topics and sexuality in the context of the Millennial Generation. I know there a lot of other articles floating around the Internet and even Odyssey like this series, but what sets this series apart is that it's going to unapologetically written from the viewpoint of a young Catholic! The rest of this article is going to be about explaining my particular viewpoint for the series.
A Mix Of The Old And The New
Roman Catholicism is a very old and time-honored religious tradition, meaning that it has a lot of built up religious tradition and social teachings that have developed over the last 1000 or so years. For many people this makes the church a relic of the past that is out of touch with reality and unable to "adapt to the modern era." I vehemently disagree with that notion and I believe that the churches teachings on society, especially on love and relationships, keep us firmly rooted in a time of great change and uncertainty. In other words, there's nothing wrong with relying on the wisdom learned from the mistakes of billions of other Catholics throughout the Church's history. It just means we don't have to make the same mistakes ourselves today!
So yes it is possible to live a life guided by Catholic teaching while still engaging 100 percent with the quickly changing modern world of dating and relationships! It just means that you have a guidebook on how to relate with your next potential significant other no matter where/how you meet them!
It's Not Always The Easiest Path In The World
OK so if you've read the article to this part you're thinking, (probably in a very sarcastic tone or maybe a really happy one, both are equally valid responses) "GREAT, it must be SO EASY dating with the values that he's talking about!"
The truth of trying to date with Catholic values in the modern world that we Millennials have inherited, at least in my own experience, is that the answer lies somewhere between the two responses I joked about above. While on the one hand it can be infuriating to try and engage with a hyper-sexualized dating culture when you're the "prude guy/gal," especially when some of the most popular dating apps are geared for hookups. It is incredibly rewarding on the other hand when you find someone who adheres to similar values and appreciates what you stand for as a young Catholic. In fact, I've found this experience to be well worth all of the frustration of dealing with the broader dating culture. Don't get me wrong there's plenty of times when I feel pretty hopeless or get frustrated by the high standards that I have to hold myself to. But I have discovered that in the end it's always worth waiting for!
Hopefully this little nibble of my thoughts on dating and romance grabbed your attention! Be sure to check out parts one and two of the article series coming next week! Until then, adios!
