Research Guides: Romance and Courtship: Dating and Courtship Manuals

Dating and Courtship Manuals

The materials listed here present a wide variety of advice literature for dating and courtship across time and printed formats. They are grouped in broad chronological categories. Also included on this page are periodicals and general reference materials related to dating and courtship.

Late 19th- and Early 20th-Century Guides

Fascinating womanhood, or, The art of attracting men : a practical course of lessons in the underlying principles by which women attract men, leading to the proposal and culminating in marriage
An eight-part "practical course of lessons in the underlying principles by which women attract men, leading to the proposal and culminating in marriage," from Psychology Press in Saint Louis. Published in 1922, the work offers advice on what men are seeking in female partners, how women should dress, where they should go to meet men, and other topics. Fascinating Womanhood is openly accessible online through Harvard's Mirador viewer.
How to do it : or, The art of fascinating the opposite sex
Written by "by a gentleman (now married)," and published in 1885.
Love, courtship and marriage
Authored by F.B. Meyer, a minister, and published in 1899 in England. Love, Courtship, and Marriage is openly accessible online though Harvard's Mirador Viewer.
Love and courtship
Authored by Catherine Booth-Clibborn, published in 1926.
The Lover's companion : a hand-book of courtship and marriage
A guide to courtship published in 1848.
Shall girls propose? : and other papers on love and marriage
Published in approximately 1891. Authored by "a speculative bachelor."
The spinster book
Schlesinger holds multiple versions of this work first published by Myrtle Reed in 1901. The 1901 edition of The Spinster Book is available online. The 1905 edition of The Spinster Book is also available freely through Harvard's Mirador Viewer. The 1903 edition of The Spinster Book is available as a physical copy in the library.

Mid-20th-Century Guides

Are you in the know? : about etiquette, dating, grooming, fashions, this 'n' that
Published in 1954, this instructional work from the International Cellucotton Products Company is aimed at teenage girls.
Dating tips for Christian youth
Published in 1962, this book was also reissued in the 1970s. Authored by Robert A. Cook.
The technique of the love affair
Originally published in 1946, a reprint of the Technique of the Love Affair was issued in 1999, containing annotations reflecting on dating at the end of the 20th century. Initial work authored by Doris Langley Moore, reprint textual additions by Norrie Epstein.

Modern Guides: 1980 to the present

50 great dates for any budget
Published around 2001, from the editors of SharpMan.com.
Boy meets girl : say hello to courtship
Authored by Joshua Harris, this 2000 work considers courtship from a religious Christian perspective.
Catherinette : reimagining spinsterhood for the 21st century : harlots & homebodies
Authors Red Velvet and Severity Chaste define modern spinsters as "independent, solitary (though socially skilled) ladies who love cats, books, boning and solitude -- and who aren't defined by their relationships." The authors discuss, among other topics, sexuality, internet dating, polyamory, and heartbreak. Zine was published around 2013.
Don't bring home a white boy : and other notions that keep black women from dating out
Published in 2010, Karyn Langhorne Folan describes what she considers common reasons Black women choose to not date white men.
Flings, frolics, and forever afters : a single woman's guide to romance after fifty
"A guide to dating men for women over fifty looking for friendship, sex, or long-term commitment" by Katherine E. Chaddock & Emilie Chaddock Egan. Book published in 2005.
Generation L
In this irregular issue of Rollerderby from 1995, Lisa Carver writes to Generation L, a group of "proud, excited, groomed people in their twenties." She includes a guide for women to attract male attention. Carver writes about style, hair, and makeup transformation of a woman, why short hair belongs on men, and quotes about love.
Hang-ups, hook-ups, and holding out : stuff you need to know about your body, sex, and dating
Published in 2007, this work by Melissa Holmes attempts to answer teen questions about dating and sexuality in a question-and-answer format.
Honorable intentions : the manners of courtship in the '80s
Published in 1983, author Cheryl Merser describes issues at play when dating in "the modern world."
A lesbian love advisor
Subtitled "the sweet and savory arts of lesbian courtship..." this 1989 work by Celeste West includes sections on flirting, courtship, sex, break-ups, arguing and more. Find A Lesbian Love Advisor online through LGBT Thought & Culture database for researchers with a Harvard login or those who visit a Harvard library in person.
Love at work
Published approximately in 1988 by Margaret Kent and Robert Feinschreiber.
The Mystery method : how to get beautiful women into bed
Mystery, a pick-up artist, describes techniques for "pproaching, attracting, and enjoying intimate relationships with beautiful women." Published in 2007.
Playgirl's guide : how to meet men
Published in 1984, Ellen Sklarz details various venues for meeting dates, including personal ads, bars, parties, and grooming for success.
The ten commandments of dating
Ben Young and Sam Adams provide a Christian perspective on 21st century dating, outlining guidelines in the form of commandments for young people (16 and older) to follow in their courtship.

Periodicals and Reference Works

The Greenwood encyclopedia of love, courtship, & sexuality through history
A useful reference text following courtship globally.
Lovematters.com
LoveMatters.Com produced a periodical providing dating advice from a Christian perspective, especially for individuals against abortion. Schlesinger holds volumes four (2001), five (2002), seven (2003), and fifteen (2008).
Single
Published in New York starting in 1973, this monthly periodical focuses on the issues of single people, whether they be divorced, widowed, bachelors or bachelorettes.
Together
Schlesinger holds the first issue of Together, a publication by and for single people. This periodical was published in Boston, Massachusetts in 1972.