If you are dating someone, your relationship is often characterized by how serious it is. Casual dating is one type of dating which refers to a relationship that is not very serious and does not require a commitment. A serious relationship, on the other hand, is when two people are in a committed, monogamous relationship with each other. There are pros and cons to each type of dating.

1

Monogamous

One primary difference between casual dating and a serious relationship is that people who are dating casually are not necessarily monogamous. With casual dating a commitment is not required, and therefore those involved in this type of relationship are normally free to see other people at the same time. People involved in a serious relationship are monogamous and therefore each person in a serious relationship commits to only being involved with the other person.

2

Level of Seriousness

People involved in a serious relationship agree to have a serious relationship with each other. This means that they are very involved with each other and they see and talk to each other often. People in serious relationships also often move in with each other or spend the night at the other person’s house often. For people involved in casual dating, the level of seriousness is much lower. The two people do not tell each other everything and may talk daily, but most likely they don’t. Casual dating varies between couples. Some couples who are dating casually may see each other every day or week, while others may go a month or longer without seeing each other or talking.

  • People involved in a serious relationship agree to have a serious relationship with each other.
  • Some couples who are dating casually may see each other every day or week, while others may go a month or longer without seeing each other or talking.
3

Fun

A lot of people who engage in casual dating do so for the fun of it. It allows them to have someone to hang out with and go places with, without requiring a commitment to the person. It lets people be friends without anything more. Being in a serious relationship also offers fun to couples. Couples in this type of relationship can find hobbies they enjoy doing together and offers each person someone to hang out with.

  • A lot of people who engage in casual dating do so for the fun of it.
  • Couples in this type of relationship can find hobbies they enjoy doing together and offers each person someone to hang out with.
4

Intimacy

Couples in both types of relationship are often sexually active. Casual daters often have sexual relations with the people they are casually dating, but also may have relations with other people as well. Casual dating is often called having “friends with benefits.” People involved in a sexual relationship while casually dating should take precautions to avoid pregnancy and spreading of diseases. When a couple is involved in a serious relationship, they also might be sexually active. The difference is that the couple is monogamous and should only be having these relations with each other and no one else.

  • Couples in both types of relationship are often sexually active.
  • When a couple is involved in a serious relationship, they also might be sexually active.