Let’s take a fun stroll down memory lane to explore how high school dating has evolved from 1980 to today.
1980:
Spot a cute guy in class. Buzz your friends for his name. Scribble it on your notebook, add your name, and then your names together. You daydream about where he lives and what his hobbies might be.
2016:
Notice a total cutie in school. Ask your friends for his name, then Google him during lunch. Your pals are already following him on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
1980:
Have friends over after school and hunt for his family in the phonebook. Use your thumb to create a little smudge right over his contact info. Everyone squeals as you ogle the page together.
2016:
Compare online search results with your friends after school. All the intel about your crush gets shared through a group text. The only sounds? The rapid tapping of keyboards and notification pings. It’s like a silent movie.
1980:
Dust off the yearbook and flip through every black-and-white photo of him. Memorize the details. Gaze at his baseball picture and visualize yourself cheering him on while he winks at you from the bleachers.
2016:
Open your laptop and scroll through his Instagram feed. Notice he’s wearing three different baseball uniforms. Great, now you’re not sure if you’re ready to trek to a million dusty fields to watch him play.
1980:
Drag the rotary phone to the couch, locate that smudged paper in the phonebook, and dial slowly. Hang up as soon as someone answers. Phew, they can’t trace it back to you! Repeat until your little brother barges in, ruining the vibe.
2016:
Type his address into Google Maps. Zoom in for directions from your place to his. Snap a new selfie for social media because he might be checking you out, too.
1980:
The next day at school, your friend, who knows his buddy, asks if he’s dating anyone. You hold your breath all day for the juicy deets. Try to find his locker so you can casually hang out while flipping through your favorite magazine.
2016:
Your friend Snapchats him, teasing that you think he’s cute. She asks if he “w2ho” (wants to hang out) with you. His response? “Tell her to HMU” (hit me up). Score!
1980:
At lunch, your friend relays that his friend said he’s single. Hooray! Forget that Shaun Cassidy won’t be swooping in to rescue you in his Camaro. Scribble your number on a piece of paper, fold it into a tiny triangle, and have your friend pass it along.
2016:
During lunch, your buddy texts you hottie’s contact info. You save him in your phone with just his first name. Can’t wait to add his pic to his profile so you can swoon every time he calls.
1980:
You wait by the phone at home, but your mom is hogging it forever. You’re in a panic, imagining your crush getting a busy signal and just giving up. You’ve got no clue if he called unless everyone stays off the phone—ever.
2016:
At home, your crush texts you before baseball practice to arrange a FaceTime chat later. You grab a spray tan and stop by Chipotle and Starbucks. Plenty of time to kill before he calls!
1980:
He rings during dinner, and your dad tells him to call back in an hour. You bolt to the closet precisely an hour later when the phone rings. Your chat lasts exactly 10 minutes, filled with “I’m fine” and “doing nothing.” He asks you to a movie on Friday.
2016:
As the time for his call approaches, you rearrange furniture to find the perfect FaceTime spot. Yes! That backdrop of photo collages is just right. He asks if you want to hang out Friday, and you agree but don’t set plans because—let’s be real—plans are lame.
1980:
He’s meant to arrive at 7 p.m., and you can’t contact him, so you wait. Smooth your culottes, adjust your poncho, and apply more Cherry Lip Smacker. Finally, he pulls up, and your mom embarrassingly waves goodbye from the door. You drive off to the sweet sounds of Blondie.
2016:
Snap pics of four outfits, send them to your friends, and wear the one they pick. Slip $20 into your phone case, and you’re good to go. He texts to say he’s on his way, then updates you about the traffic. Finally, he says he’s here. You leave, promising to text your mom the plan.
1980:
You have no idea if “Caddyshack” is a great date movie, but it definitely was a great date. You and your guy are as perfect as Danny and Sandy from “Grease.” You can’t wait to share every detail with your friends while roller skating on Saturday morning.
2016:
Your friends are right there with you on the date. During a bathroom break, you text those who aren’t. Snap a selfie with your crush for Instagram; you both look incredible, just like Brangelina. Can’t wait to see how many likes it gets in the next 24 hours.
And there you have it! While teen dating has transformed over the years, one thing remains constant: the importance of friends as your wingmen. For more on navigating relationships and family-building options, check out this excellent resource.
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Summary: Teen dating has evolved dramatically from the 1980s to 2016, shifting from phone calls and handwritten notes to texts and social media, but the role of friends as wingmen remains unchanged.