The definition of courting is the process of trying to attract and woo a romantic partner to create a long-term relationship or to marry the partner.
This by its nature is far more direct than the common dating practiced in the world today. Because it is founded upon a commitment, the qualifications are stricter. In dating you need to know very little about a person before becoming romantically involved, a recipe for disaster. In courtship, because commitment is involved, those entering into it need to be confident of what they desire. Two people don't commit to each other unless they are confident beforehand that they might be compatible with one another.
In dating physical attraction is often the starting point, and emotional attachments form prior to determining character qualities. In courtship, the qualifications of the partners has to be determined prior to starting the relationship. A guy has to determine what kind of girl he is getting involved with in order to court her, while with dating, sometimes he may know very little about her other than the fact that she is a girl. Likewise a girl needs to have some idea about the man before she will consent to a long term relationship.
So how does one get to know something about the person prior to courting them? The answer ought to be obvious. Through casual encounters. The participants need not form emotional connections in order to observe how each person treats others, conducts themselves, etc. Most of the qualifications can be passively observed.
As far as the reasons or qualifications. That can vary, based upon what we want. We could choose a companion for many reasons: physical appearance, personality, wealth, social status, etc. In my opinion, the single most prominent reason should be approached by asking a question. Would I want that person to be the parent of my children. Does that person posses the character traits to be an effective parent? Even if you do not plan on having children or children right away, this question should be considered, because the same traits that make a good parent also make a good spouse.
I will leave this topic for your consideration, with the idea that dating and traditional courtship are not the only options. There is another even better method.
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