Heterosexual courtships practices are representative cultural situations that make romantic interests conform to predefined standards (Lamont). They signify particular definitions about relationships to the society since they are culturally communicative. They are mostly gendered as they represent prevalent beliefs about the inherent variations between men and women. Cultural stereotypes fuel the existent assumptions between the genders dictating the role each should take during courtship. As a result, the differences tend to bring about bias and prejudice as women appear to be heavily burdened while men take a dominant position. Based on that, we would discuss heterosexual courtship practices and arrive at a verdict on its nature.
Heterosexual courtship conventions prescribe that men should ask, plan and pay for dates. On the other hand, women should gauge men’s romantic practices through suitable performance of particular courtship activities such as progression of the relationship and marriage proposal (Lamont). During the courtship process, the burden of romantic interest is transferred to men. Meanwhile, women are expected to react to the gestures and communicate their interest of love in certain ways. Besides that, women are expected to be labor of love often depicted through emotional work and household labor that are idealizes as care. Due to that, the burden of sustaining relationship is handed over to women while men maintain a position of power and control.
There is need to call to attention the gendered practices as they disadvantage women and create a male dominated environment rather than facilitating egalitarian peer relationships. The resulting relationships create a restrictive environment, as the people involved are not able to express themselves. Parties involved need to be left to navigate their relationships as they desire and to their preference. Restrictive norms are unwarranted and only serve to maintain a preconceived societal system that dictates power dynamics and patterns.
In conclusion, heterosexual courtship practices have numerous demerits as compared to the merits. They are oppressive and limit people’s realization of maximum potential. Therefore, a review is necessary to ensure an accommodative environment and fair structuring for its thriving.
Work Cited
Lamont, Ellen. "“We Can Write the Scripts Ourselves”: Queer Challenges to Heteronormative Courtship Practices." Gender " Society 31.5 (2017): 624-646.
