Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and explore how high school dating has evolved from 1980 to 2016.
1980
Spot a cute guy in class. Ask your friends for his name. Spend time doodling both your names together in a notebook. Fantasize about what his life is like and what hobbies he might have.
2016
Notice a total hottie in school. Use your friends to find out his name. Google him during lunch. Get your friends to search for him on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
1980
Invite friends over after school to look up his family in the phone book. Use your thumb to mark the page with his info, while everyone squeals in anticipation.
2016
Compare your findings about him at home after school. All updates about your crush are shared via group text. The only sounds? The click of keyboards and the whoosh of texts being sent.
1980
Pull out the yearbook. Flip through every black-and-white photo of him. Memorize every detail while dreaming about cheering him on at a game, imagining him winking at you through his aviator sunglasses.
2016
Open your computer and scroll through his Instagram photos. Notice he has multiple pictures in different baseball uniforms. You wonder if he’s as cool as he seems.
1980
Grab the rotary phone, consult your smudged page from the phone book, and dial his number slowly. Hang up as soon as someone answers. Repeat this process until your younger sibling walks in, ruining the moment.
2016
Type his address into Google Maps for directions. Snap a new selfie and upload it to your social media, just in case he decides to check you out too.
1980
The next day, your friend, who knows his friend, asks if he has a girlfriend. You hold your breath all day waiting for the answer and try to locate his locker for a casual encounter.
2016
At school, your friend Snapchats him about you. She asks if he wants to “w2ho” (hang out) with you. He replies, “tell her to HMU” (hit me up). Awesome!
1980
During lunch, you hear from your friend that he doesn’t have a girlfriend. Yes! You scribble your number on a piece of spiral paper, fold it neatly, and give it to your friend to pass on.
2016
At lunch, your friend texts you his contact info. You quickly add him with just a first name, eager to upload a picture of him to his contact profile.
1980
At home, you anxiously wait by the phone for him to call, but your mom is on the line forever. You imagine him giving up after hearing a busy signal.
2016
Meanwhile, he texts you before practice to set up a FaceTime call for later. You have hours to prepare after grabbing a spray tan and a quick stop at Chipotle.
1980
He calls during dinner, and your dad tells him to call back later. You retreat to a closet exactly an hour later, jump when the phone rings, and chat for a brief ten minutes about how you’re both “fine.” He asks you out for a movie on Friday.
2016
As the time for his call approaches, you rearrange your room for the perfect FaceTime angle. He invites you to hang out on Friday, and you agree, keeping it casual because making plans is too structured.
1980
He’s supposed to arrive at 7 p.m., and you have no way to contact him. You wait nervously, adjusting your outfit and applying more lip gloss. Finally, he arrives, and your mom embarrasses you with a wave from the door as you drive away to the music of Blondie.
2016
You take photos of a few outfits, text them to friends, and wear the one they choose. You shove $20 into your phone case and await his texts about traffic, finally getting the “I’m here” message. You leave home, promising to text your mom the details.
1980
You might not know if “Caddyshack” is a good date movie, but you know it was a great date. You feel like the perfect couple, ready to share the experience with friends during roller skating on Saturday morning.
2016
Your friends tag along on the date. During a bathroom break, you text those who couldn’t come. You snap a cute selfie with your crush for Instagram, feeling like a power couple. You can’t wait to see how many likes your post gets in the next 24 hours.
Despite the differences in technology and communication, one thing remains the same: having friends as your wingmen will always be a fundamental part of teen dating. For more on navigating relationships and pregnancy, check out this excellent resource on IVF and explore the topic of home insemination at BabyMaker.
In summary, teen dating has undergone significant changes over the decades, primarily driven by technology. Yet, the essence of connecting with friends and navigating crushes remains timeless.