HAVE MATING RITUALS ALTERED SQUARE DANCING ? (April 1999)
Jeff Garbutt, Bunbury, Western Australia


Like it or not, the world has changed. Amongst other things, equality of the sexes has become (in most places) reality. While this is welcome, it has inevitably led to changes to the way "life goes on". In particular, our mating rituals have changed. 

Twenty or so years ago it was more or less expected that:
* The boy was expected to make "first contact". It was always expected that the boy would chase the girl - not the other way around.
* There was time for a "dating ritual" which would occur before relationships were allowed to progress to "higher levels of involvement". 

Nowadays, the equality revolution and sexual revolution appear to have brought changes.
* It is now acceptable for the girls to make "first contact". Boys don't have to go as much effort to secure a "mate".
* There is much less "lead time" before relationships progress.

So how does this affect square dancing ?

Square dancing is a convenient "meeting place" for those seeking to make contact with the opposite sex. The partner changing sequences of square dancing make it easier to "break the ice" and talk to someone. And here in Australia where we have "roundups", it is even easier for the shyer people to meet others of the opposite sex.

Back in the 70's there was a higher proportion of youth involved with square dancing, both male and female, than now. Is there a co-incidence here ? I believe there is ! Back in those days when "boys were expected to chase girls" square dancing was an ideal place to meet girls. So there were more teenage males as there are now. And there was also more teenage girls than there are now. 

Nowadays there is less effort required by the male. And so there is less incentive to attend activities such as square dancing.