IN TODAY'S FAST PACED CULTURE OF INSTANT COMMUNICATION, IT SEEMS THAT YOUNG SINGLES ARE FINDING IT HARDER THAN EVER TO MAKE A CONNECTION.
And with text messaging and e-mail becoming the primary source of communication for so many young adults, it's apparent that the old ways of dating and romance are quickly on their way out, being replaced by "hanging out" or "hooking up."
Bronx resident Heather , 20, said it's commonplace today for people to turn to technology to get dates.
"Hardly anyone goes out on dates anymore," she said. "It's always just, 'Do you want to come over and watch a movie?'"
She knows all too well the trends appearing in the dating scene from first-hand experience, as she's been asked out several times via text message.
"People say that technology is the key to communication, but in dating it's definitely a barrier," she said.
Burton isn't the only one feeling that technology has created some major roadblocks when it comes to finding people who are looking for the same things in a relationship.
Grantsville resident Scott Johnson, 25, said dating has gotten a lot harder in the last couple of years with the online dating and text messaging craze.
"It seems like it's a different generation and it's getting harder to date," he said. "It seems everyone is moving away from one-on-one conversations and being personal."
Even when a text message or online invitation results in an actual planned date, it can often end up being played down to just hanging out.
"People don't want to put the time and effort into dating anymore," Johnson said.
"It's just a casual thing. I also think some people just don't want that responsibility or commitment."
Singles also commented that asking people to "hang out" in lieu of going on a date decreases the risk of being turned down by someone they're interested in.
"I think people feel like it's easier to hang out because then if you get rejected, you feel like it was at a friendship level instead of being rejected at that relationship level," Burton said.
Although Burton said guys think they are more at risk when it comes to the rejection factor, it takes a little bravery on both sides to just tell the truth.
"As much guts as it takes for a guy to ask a girl out on a date, it takes just as much courage to say no if I don't really want to go," she said.
Brian Jackson, 21, is an Erda resident who said opting out of traditional dating happens just because of the fact that it's so much easier. He said he also dislikes that physical affection seems to be taking place more just between friends with no commitment or romantic feelings for one another.
"It almost seems to me that physical affection has been cheapened," he said. "I always thought that if you kissed someone, that meant that you had feelings for one another, but it seems like that's not necessarily true anymore."
The whole process seems to kick romance out the back door and leaves plenty of room for misinterpretation on all sides.
"People are afraid to be honest and it just leads to more confusion," Burton said. "I just don't know why people are so afraid to tell people what they want and what they feel."
That big break in communication isn't the only thing standing in the way of young singles finding meaningful relationships. Many said it's hard to find the time since they are trying to succeed in school or a career.
"People are always on the go," Johnson said.
Dealing with the circumstances of the single life can be frustrating at times, but some say they wouldn't have it any other way.
"I love having the opportunity to date because it gives me time to discover the qualities that I want for a future relationship," Johnson said. "My purpose of dating is eventually to find someone that I can spend the rest of my life with, and I don't want to rush into anything."
And with text messaging and e-mail becoming the primary source of communication for so many young adults, it's apparent that the old ways of dating and romance are quickly on their way out, being replaced by "hanging out" or "hooking up."
Bronx resident Heather , 20, said it's commonplace today for people to turn to technology to get dates.
"Hardly anyone goes out on dates anymore," she said. "It's always just, 'Do you want to come over and watch a movie?'"
She knows all too well the trends appearing in the dating scene from first-hand experience, as she's been asked out several times via text message.
"People say that technology is the key to communication, but in dating it's definitely a barrier," she said.
Burton isn't the only one feeling that technology has created some major roadblocks when it comes to finding people who are looking for the same things in a relationship.
Grantsville resident Scott Johnson, 25, said dating has gotten a lot harder in the last couple of years with the online dating and text messaging craze.
"It seems like it's a different generation and it's getting harder to date," he said. "It seems everyone is moving away from one-on-one conversations and being personal."
Even when a text message or online invitation results in an actual planned date, it can often end up being played down to just hanging out.
"People don't want to put the time and effort into dating anymore," Johnson said.
"It's just a casual thing. I also think some people just don't want that responsibility or commitment."
Singles also commented that asking people to "hang out" in lieu of going on a date decreases the risk of being turned down by someone they're interested in.
"I think people feel like it's easier to hang out because then if you get rejected, you feel like it was at a friendship level instead of being rejected at that relationship level," Burton said.
Although Burton said guys think they are more at risk when it comes to the rejection factor, it takes a little bravery on both sides to just tell the truth.
"As much guts as it takes for a guy to ask a girl out on a date, it takes just as much courage to say no if I don't really want to go," she said.
Brian Jackson, 21, is an Erda resident who said opting out of traditional dating happens just because of the fact that it's so much easier. He said he also dislikes that physical affection seems to be taking place more just between friends with no commitment or romantic feelings for one another.
"It almost seems to me that physical affection has been cheapened," he said. "I always thought that if you kissed someone, that meant that you had feelings for one another, but it seems like that's not necessarily true anymore."
The whole process seems to kick romance out the back door and leaves plenty of room for misinterpretation on all sides.
"People are afraid to be honest and it just leads to more confusion," Burton said. "I just don't know why people are so afraid to tell people what they want and what they feel."
That big break in communication isn't the only thing standing in the way of young singles finding meaningful relationships. Many said it's hard to find the time since they are trying to succeed in school or a career.
"People are always on the go," Johnson said.
Dealing with the circumstances of the single life can be frustrating at times, but some say they wouldn't have it any other way.
"I love having the opportunity to date because it gives me time to discover the qualities that I want for a future relationship," Johnson said. "My purpose of dating is eventually to find someone that I can spend the rest of my life with, and I don't want to rush into anything."
