VINTAGE: A Kiss Goodnight - 1950's Dating

To kiss or not to kiss - that is the question so stated Frances Grant. Now most of us would probably have words with Grant especially through our modern eyes, thing is Grant is speaking from a 1950's Teen Talks booklet on dating. While I love vintage I often approach vintage literature on society, sex and femininity as the former sociologist that is still in me (in a past British life I gained a masters in Sociology) and I often feel glad I was born in the 1980's at least with regards to equality and the like.

Now Grant tells us how we should all properly introduce our dates to our parents (rarely did I do that), double or triple date - because "it's really hilarious when the gang of you get together at a table at the Coke Corner and make the rounds of the newest moron jokes and shaggy dog stories" (really?!). Yet I fall in love with the image of date nights in diners and pour nickles into juke boxes and imagine the 1950's teenagers to talk about what we did at that age - music, fashion, sports and the opposite sex. 

Source

Just don't ever, "neck" as they call it in these American parts. Ever. 

Grant talks of going steady - oh the images of having a guy carrying your books to class, of having a sure date to the Prom and of being "sort of engaged to be engaged". Yet Grant's discussion then leaps to suggest dumping the go steady guy and of the need to be single. Kisses should only ever be friendly, you shouldn't be seen in a parked car with a guy and a girl should never, ever date a fast boy. I find Grant (who throws in honoring god and being Christian every now and again) is somewhat hypocritical - telling you how to date, the advantages but within pages suddenly disliking the idea of dating to then mentioning "playing the field" - because apparently by "playing the field you make comparisons and draw conclusions that help you choose your life partner when you're ready for marriage". As a 26 year old all I'm reading is mixed messages so lord knows how a 1950's teen would feel reading the literature.

One aspect to dating Grant holds firm on is kissing; don't even think about kissing your date goodnight unless;

1. You know him well and know he isn't the over-amourous type
2. You're positive in your own mind that nothing can come of it

Oh the qualms of dating, I guess they have their issues whatever the decade ... what dating tips would you pass on to teens?

Quotes taken from Teen Talks by a Teen Ager - No. 2 On Dates by Francis Grant