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Teen Dating: 1980 vs. 2016
Let’s take a fun look at how teen dating has evolved from 1980 to 2016.
1980:
Spot a cute guy in class? Time to gather intel! Ask your friends for his name, doodle it in your notebook along with yours, and daydream about what he’s like.
2016:
See a total hottie? You’re on it! Ask your friends his name, then Google him during lunch. Oh, and don’t forget to follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
1980:
After school hangout? Perfect excuse to dig up his family in the phonebook. You’d smudge the page where his info is and squeal with friends over your discovery.
2016:
Compare your findings on your phones after school. Group texts are buzzing with all the latest on your crush. The only sound? The clickety-clack of keyboards, no talking necessary.
1980:
Yearbook time! You’d flip through every black-and-white photo of him, memorizing every detail. Just envisioning him giving you a wink from the bleachers was enough!
2016:
Fire up the computer and scroll through his Instagram. You notice he’s posted a ton of pictures in different baseball uniforms. You hope he doesn’t think you’ll actually trek to all those games.
1980:
Time to call! You’d pull the rotary phone over, dial nervously, and hang up as soon as someone answered. Repeat until your little brother walks in to watch Happy Days and ruins the mood.
2016:
Just type his address into Google Maps for directions. Snap a cute selfie to post, because who knows? He might be Googling you too!
1980:
The next day at school, your friend is on a mission to find out if he has a girlfriend. You hold your breath, hoping for good news, while trying to find his locker.
2016:
Your friend Snapchats him about you, asking if he wants to hang out. He replies, “HMU,” and you’re thrilled!
1980:
At lunch, you hear he’s single! Write your number on paper, fold it up, and have a friend pass it along.
2016:
Your friend texts you his contact info. You save him with just his first name, and you’re excited to add a pic for his profile!
1980:
You wait by the phone for his call, praying your mom doesn’t hog the line. You can’t stand the thought of him getting a busy signal!
2016:
He texts you before practice to set up a FaceTime later. You have some time to get ready, maybe grab a snack at Chipotle.
1980:
The call comes during dinner, and your dad tells him to call back later. You hide in the closet for privacy and chat for a short 10 minutes, establishing you’re both “fine.”
2016:
As the FaceTime time approaches, you find the perfect spot for the call, making sure your photo collages are in the background. He asks to hang out on Friday, and you agree—keeping plans spontaneous is the way to go!
1980:
He’s late but you can’t reach him, so you sit there smoothing your outfit until he finally arrives. Your mom embarrasses you by waving goodbye while you drive off to the sounds of Blondie.
2016:
You text your friends outfit pics to choose from. He lets you know he’s on his way, then you promise to keep your mom updated.
1980:
You may not know if Caddyshack is a great date movie, but you know you had a good time. Just like Danny and Sandy, you can’t wait to share the details with your friends at roller skating.
2016:
Your friends are there with you! You sneak a text to those who couldn’t make it and snap a selfie for Instagram. You both look amazing together, just like Brangelina. You can’t wait to track how many likes your pic gets!
So, there you have it! Teen dating has certainly transformed over the years, but one thing remains the same—friends are still the best wingmen.
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Summary:
Teen dating has changed dramatically from the romantic scribbles and phonebook searches of the 1980s to the digital sleuthing and instant messaging of today. However, the essential role of friends in helping navigate crushes remains timeless.