It is a practice in which people meet and participate in activities together in order to get to know each other. Prior to dating, courting was common in the United States. In the United States there are millions of people between the ages of 18-24 (18-24 is considered prime dating and mate selection ages).

What is mate selection in sociology?

Mate selection is the process of choosing a partner with whom to form a marriage bond or long-term marriage-like relationship. While personal preference is a key component in the selection process, structural influences also exist.

What is mate selection in psychology?

According to social exchange theory, mate selection is a process of seeking resource exchange (Edwards, 1969; Homans, 1974; Kieserling, 2019). This theory emphasizes that when making mate decisions, individuals are attracted to people who have the resources that they require.