Dating may be seen as the quintessential high school ritual. Movies from “Grease” to “She’s the Man” have chronicled those associated rites of passage: prom, first dates, reaching for someone’s hand in a dark theater. However, statistical trends show that today’s teens are less likely to be in a romantic relationship. In our world of ambiguous labels, increasing isolation, complicated social media conventions and an aversion to vulnerability, many teenagers are foregoing the ordeal entirely. The collision of these factors have resulted in a nationwide dating recession.
This in-depth package was coordinated by Lila Coyne
john ellis • Jun 5, 2026 at 10:26 am
I highly recommend our U High Students take up partner dancing – the most popular forms now are Latin dances like Salsa dancing.
My life experience (I’m a U High grad 1979) has been that American men and women, males and females don’t do very many things well together – not arguing about politics, not shopping – guys getting drunk and acting stupid most women don’t much care for that.
But, partner dancing where the man leads and the woman follows with real dance moves, dance steps – that’ great fun. Most women love to partner dance, with American men, particularly young men or boys – we need some push to take dance lessons – but these dance lessons have proved invaluable for me and other American men. Partner dancing leads directly to male and female interaction and yes – dating.
Ask a female class mate out on a dance lesson date – make it a double date.
The best partner dance I learned was called CEROC – C’est Le roc. The name is French , but this dance is most popular in British places such as England, Scotland, Australia. CEROC is similar to Swing dance, without the complicated rock step.
I’d be honored to teach this CEROC/Le Jive dance to current Lab School students.
Jaye Ellis
UHigh class of 1979
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