Answer:
I’d presume “dating” to mean “courtship” though the latter is a more appropriate term (almost colloquial) for couples who contemplate getting married in the long run. I’m only certain of these in heterosexual relationships
Explanation:
Advantages of courtship -
Couple understands each other better - over the course of knowing each other, a boy and a girl begin to comprehend what the other’s wants, needs and desires are. Their demeanors and attitudes; predictability of actions and what have you.
- Discover each other’s medical conditions and fitness.
- More exposed to each other’s backgrounds.
- Become accustomed to each other’s habits.
- Alignment of purposes - shared dreams, beliefs, ideals and values.
- Romance - ability to dream and be young (even if it’s at heart) and in love.
Disadvantages of courtship -
Knowing too much can spoil whatever surprises the marriage should produce. The lesser the “drama”, the less adventurous and unexciting the marriage.
- Long and extended courtships generally don’t end up in marriages.
- The likelihood of preventing better would-be suitors from making gainful advances.
- Monotony of the affair.
- Possibility of losing sexual interest in each other after long periods of courtship.
- Contempt for each other - “familiarity breeds contempt”.
- Waste of time or resources.
Advantages of Dating Online
A "surfer" can immediately focus on people with similar interests, beliefs, age and other important criteria without having to spend time and money "going for coffee." Non-matching people can be sidestepped without ever needing to make contact. It's "partner shopping" in a global supermarket of humanity.
Meaningful dating can be done at a distance, even in other countries.
Relating thru writing (emailing) is a quick and efficient way to learn a lot about a person and how they tick, with minimum initial commitment or investment face-to-face and is the heart of effective online dating.
Disadvantages of Dating Online
If a "surfer" is not witty or doesn't write well, online dating can be difficult.
Prospects often circulate constantly thru a host of sites. The Internet offers unlimited options. This can make for cynical or dismissive prospects with little care for how their rejections or non-contact affects the feelings of others. It can be a conveyor belt.
Most humans are addicted to initial flirtations and the "drug" of being liked, appreciated and wanted. The Internet is an illusion of meeting. The connection is based on internalized and selfish feelings, often projections of what we are looking for, rather than what the other person is actually like.
This approach can morph people into the commodities of others' consumption.
