Dating: What's the Point

The claim that dating is merely practice for divorce doesn't surprise me. The dating culture that emerged in the 20th century has accompanied increasing divorce rates, and this may serve as evidence for anti-daters. However, divorce rates can also be attributed to longevity and increased female independence. I don't necessarilty agree with the anti-daters, and their viewpoint confuses me. How can they not date at all and expect to experience a smooth marriage? How will they know what they want and don't want in a partner if they haven't already experienced it? The anti-daters use God as a justification because they believe he will find them a marriage partner. I don't think match making works this way; God helps those who help themselves. Freitas and King also make a point that the anti-daters' largest grievance with dating is pre-marital sex. Though many dating couples do have sex, sex is not a prerequisite for dating. The anti-daters can date someone and choose not to have sex with them, as many already do. In my experience, I have seen many happy marriages between people who dated many others and were even married before. I have also seen divorces between couples who married young and did not experience other partners. In college and especially high school, students are not searching for a spouse. The random hookups with strangers are not healthy, and this lifestyle should not be confused with dating. Dating is fun and a great way to learn about others and yourself.