Family Studies Center

Sponsered Research

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The Dating Culture among LDS High School and College Students

The purpose of this research project is to study the dating culture among LDS youth in both high school and college and determine whether it follows the "traditional dating culture" or the modern "hanging out as friends culture." The former previously allowed students to locate a mate whereas the latter often involves participating in casual sexual encounters. This study seeks to determine whether there are unique LDS accommodations or adjustments to such a culture.

The research will focus on three main objectives:

1.  Identifying the dating and mate selection process among LDS youth.
2. Determining LDS youth's attitudes and expectations concerning marriage.
3. Testing a model predicting attitudes towards marriage and participation in a dating culture.

The study will analyze previously collected data concerning LDS youth as well as future data to be collected from five or six focus groups with LDS youth, discussing dating and the dating culture they experience. The results of the research will provide parents, church leaders, school leaders, and other adults with sound information that will enable them to provide more valuable guidance to youth in the process of dating and mate selection.