This is a strange scene and makes me somewhat uncomfortable but is fascinating in that David Silver, TV personality was asking girls who are not old enough to date, what they thought a teenage date should be like. What should the boys do. What should the girls do. It is a segment from David Silver’s 1967 experimental national television program that pushed the boundaries of TV. I mentioned at the end of this clip what happened to David's television programs shortly after this show aired. He was removed, and the reason why is not connected to this clip or others like it.
I thought about the question of rules for proper teenage dating in the middle class in 1967. Middle-class dating values placed an emphasis on traditional gender roles and etiquette. A teenage boy was expected to follow certain guidelines when taking a teenage girl on a date. Some of these proper behaviors include:
Initiation: The boy was typically expected to initiate the date by asking the girl out, either in person or over the phone.
Planning: The boy would generally be responsible for planning the date, selecting the activity or venue, and making any necessary arrangements, such as reservations or purchasing tickets.
Punctuality: It was important for the boy to be punctual when picking up the girl from her home, as it demonstrated respect and consideration for her time.
Meeting the parents: If the date involved picking up the girl at her home, the boy might be expected to introduce himself to her parents and engage in polite conversation with them. This showed respect for the girl's family and their involvement in her life.
Opening doors and other acts of chivalry: The boy would typically be expected to open doors for the girl, help her with her coat, and generally display good manners and chivalry throughout the date.
Paying for the date: It was customary for the boy to cover the costs of the date, including meals, movie tickets, or any other activities. This demonstrated his ability to provide and care for the girl.
Engaging conversation: The boy was expected to engage in polite and interesting conversation, being attentive to the girl's interests and opinions, and avoiding controversial or inappropriate topics.
Physical boundaries: Physical contact was generally more limited in the 1960s, with holding hands or a brief kiss being considered appropriate. It was essential for the boy to respect the girl's boundaries and not pressure her into any unwanted physical contact.
Ending the date: At the end of the date, the boy would typically escort the girl to her door, ensuring her safe arrival home. He might also ask if she had a good time and express his interest in seeing her again.
Follow-up: If the date went well, the boy would be expected to call or write a note to the girl within a few days, expressing his gratitude for the date and his desire to go out again if both parties were interested.
To try and understand what these girls learned from their mothers and older siblings, it might be useful to look at gender roles and expectations in the middle class in the 1967 era.
In the 1967 gender roles were more rigid with men expected to initiate dates, pay for outings, and be the primary decision-makers in relationships.
In 1967 communication was limited to landline telephones, letters and face-to-face interactions.
In the 1967 dating was more formal with couples often going on planned outings or attending events together.
The 1960s were marked by the early years of the sexual revolution but traditional values around sex and relationships still held sway for many.
Parents in the 1967 were more involved in their children's dating lives, often setting rules and boundaries for their kids.
In 1967 dating across racial and cultural lines was very uncommon and often frowned upon.
In the ‘60s dating was viewed as a means to find a suitable partner for marriage and relationships were generally more serious in nature.