Mating in prehistoric times provided security for the woman and increased production for the male. Prehistoric people roamed in small groups. Monogamy strengthens the society. In Medieval times romance was not what we see in the movie with Russell Crowe or Liam Nielson. In the country marriages could result from love. Noble classes viewed love and marriage as business transactions. Wives brought dowries and some instances alliances of two countries. Women were usually viewed as the male's property. Moralist in the 11th and 12th century considered passion as sinful. Medieval romance idealized the noble knight and his noble deeds. Romance idealized High Adventure which was usually knights and nobles participating in religious crusades or wars. From the 15th century to 18th century was the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Events from 15th to 18th century invention of printing press, Christopher Columbus, beginning of Protestant Reform, discovery of the Americas, European colonization of the Americas, American Revolution and French Revolution.Elizabeth I reign (1558-1603) height of English literature and poetry. During Elizabethan Era William Shakespeare composed plays and poetry.
Three themes for Shakespearean writings comedy, romance and history. Age of Reason or Age of Enlightenment in European philosophy. Romance differed by class. People in the villages had to be strongly approved by both parents. Villages could marry for love but considering very low living habits the male was seeking a hard working mate and someone that could bear children. In noble quarters marriages were arranged to enhance fortunes. The Church had a very strong influence and virginity was seen as the highest mortal award for any single woman. Americais considered a young country but the leading country in the world. 1928 was the beginning of the Great Depression. The 19th amendment was passed in 1920 giving women the right to vote. During WWII women were allowed in the work force. Franklin D. Roosevelt introduces Social Security and the Veterans Bill. In the 1950's in American economy was booming. In 1960 the birth control pill was approved for contraception. All of these events have changed the roles of men and women in the society or have things really changes.
Women have to freedom of having a career and being a wife and mother. It is now acceptable that women are the bread winners the husbands as stay at home dads raising the children. Be what about romance. Novels, plays and movies have influenced the concept of what romance should be. In long term affairs that are a mountains of information on keeping the romance alive. In the past mates met through family members, in school, socially or at the work place. Date seeking is still social (in bars, churches, etc) but in this age of computers online dating is an acceptable practice. One in Five couples is finding their mates on line. Online dating is tailored in to categories ( single, single parents, senior dating, executive dating, big beautiful women dating, Christian dating, Jew dating, Black Dating, Asian dating, Latin dating, local, national, international dating and more. Romance is the same through out time man needs woman and woman need man.