Sociologists suggest that dating has certain functions. That is, it accomplishes certain things for the individuals involved and for the society as a whole.
What are those functions and how well does the dating process accomplish those functions?
Because dating has these functions, it follows certain patterns which society believes will help it accomplish its functions.
What are some of the patterns (norms) of dating in American society? (Because norms can change over time, it would help if you identified your approximate age (e.g., 20s, 30s, 50s, etc.)