A shift in the way we date?

So this has been bothering me somewhat for a little while now. Does anyone here think that dating has greatly shifted from what one would traditionally define it as? (ie. taking a girl/guy out on a date with the idea of a relationship in mind) It just seems that nowadays, people are more interested in hook-ups and having multiple partners (sexual or otherwise) and having relationships without committing. I know my generation has been dubbed the "hookup" generation and I thought that maybe it was just the "college scene". But after some digging I found that it's really seems to be the mentality across all age demographics. At any rate, what are your thoughts on this?

Dating and hookups are pretty separate, from what I see/hear.
Hookups have just evolved as a way to avoid dating and engage in casual sex.

I'd say at its core, dating hasn't changed much in many many decades. Masculine and feminine expectations are still kept in place by traditional teachings and beliefs.

Hookups didn't appear overnight. The way they were viewed just changed, as did the terms: one generation's "one night stands" are pretty much equivalent.
But now people are starting to see that this sort of behavior is normal, when perceptions about it aren't clouded by religious morality. Hooking up breaks no laws!

I dunno, I've been stood up on my last four dates.

Not by the same girl, mind you, but three different ones. Which kinda makes it worse...

I dont think dating has changed overtime. For me it seems more like how were have been socialized to think about marriage and sex has changed. Its not as taboo to have sex before marriage, a child out of wedlock, or an abortion.

So why go for the long haul, when people these days are so into quick gratification.

I never did like the whole dating thing.. so im suppose to take you out to eat/ movies/ other things... what so wrong with just chilling, talking and hey you hungry.. let's get some pizza or something. Most people use the dating thing to get some... which is pretty retarded when it cost more to date then either picking up a club twat or a whore... cheaper too. Dating is a form of prostitution without the advantage to getting some that night. I think my father said it the best... hot chicks don't know the price of a fine meal or a drink... ugly broads do. Which explains why he on wife four.

Lately I've been thinking of getting into a non serious relationship. I'm still not over my ex and I know it would not be right to really date another girl if I am still in love with my ex. so a totally sexual relationship with no strings attached sounds appealing. But sadly I don't know any girl like that and the chances of me meeting some one like that is slim.

I think the whole hooking up concept is only good if you just want to have sex, not if you want to find love at all, there is a big difference.

The dating scene hasn't changed really. It's the way we conduct it that's changed. Majority of people these days are getting together at a younger age and it's all about the experience then let it go from there. As it has been said, sex isn't a taboo now and with the digital age, everyone can get in on the act. Sadly enough, I do see a lot of people being totally into "let's fuck and if it doesn't work out, leave it".

Call me old fashion but when I do want to date, it'll be with someone I want to be with. My colleagues were like 'Seriously?' but that's how I want to be. Plain and simple. Screwing around, fun for a bit. But after a while, you'll probably wondering why everyone left you.

I wasn't around 30 years ago, but from speculation, it definitely seems that dating has changed. It seems to be increasingly focused on sex rather than the actual relationship. I think there are 2 key factors that caused this trend:
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1. Dating at a young ages is becoming very common. They date and have sex or whatever while at this very irresponsible young age, and grow up thinking it's normal. By the time they're 20, all value and respect for dating is gone, and what's left is striving for sex.

2. The culture views sex as normal. Most people try to act in a way that the culture defines as "cool". Most movies and Reality TV-shows portray this "sex oriented" dating as normal. This indirectly causes people to accept this behavior as "normal" or "cool". Over time, these influences, along with peer pressure, causes the general culture to accept this as the "cool" or "normal" dating style.

There are probably other reasons too, but ^these 2 are the major cause. When I grew up, I avoided these 2 main causes; I was overprotected by my parents and never dated, and I really don't associate with the general culture. As a result, I'm very against these sex-driven relationships.

This trend is unstoppable, but it is avoidable

I understand that perspective. And I certainly don't think there's anything wrong with just "chilling" etc. The problem for me occurs in the lack of commitment to each of the respected parties. In that, activities (again, sexual or otherwise) that were reserved for the person you were dating, are no longer restricted to any one such person. In doing so, it leads me to believe that what is valued more nowadays is the actual action, as opposed to the person with whom you are sharing it with.