VOL. V, NO. 14

The person who uses dating as a status symbol may ruin his chances for a successful marriage.

Seventeen magazine recently featured an article about what it termed the "dating‑rating system." Dr. Sugarman remarked. "This pattern means that invitations are extended or accepted with a view to raising one's prestige."

The magazine listed several ways to make dating work as it is supposed to work. This is the 10‑point plan that it offered.

1. Be yourself. Don't build up false illusions. In this way. there won't be any disillusionment.

2. Broaden your date base. Develop your own personality by dating different people. A person who doesn't belong to your crowd may have more to offer you than one who's very "in."

3. Change the scene. If you do go out with the same person all the time, let him see all sides of your personality.

4. Be alone together. Don't double‑date all the time. Dr. Sugarman commented, "Most of married life is spent alone together."

5. Bring on the family. An evening or day at home is in order for any boy you've dated for a while.

6. Go slowly, a relationship that starts with necking can get out of hand physically before it even gets going mentally.

7. Don't be a reformer. Accept your date as he is, or mark him off your list.

8. Take a backward look. If you think a boy or girl may have a place in your future, learn something about his or her past. Almost all studies show that people of similar religious and social backgrounds have a head start toward marital happiness.

9. Take your time. Tastes change rapidly in the teen years.

10. Face facts. If there are warning signs of trouble, don't ignore them.