At BYU-Hawaii the reviews are mixed about dating and hanging out. Four out of eight students thought dating is important, while the others said, “hanging out is more fun.”According to a speech entitled, “Dating versus Hanging Out,” by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, states, “Knowledgeable observers report that dating has nearly disappeared from college campuses and among young adults generally. It has been replaced by something called ‘hanging out.’” The students on BYUH’s campus have some answers for this dilemma. Aloha Mahe, a freshman majoring in accounting, from Tonga, said, “Hanging out is much more fun.” Heather Helu and David Taufa, seniors from Tonga studying accounting, agreed. They said “dating is awkward because people are trying to impress each other and that’s annoying.” Students also said culture plays a major factor in whether people date or hang out. When asked about hanging out, Jarvis Yau, a senior in finance from Hong Kong, stated, “Hanging out is an American thing.” Tiare Te’o, a freshman majoring in biochemistry from Laie, said, “Polynesian parents make it difficult to bring someone home because they are stern about those type of things. I am not complaining about it because I like hanging out with my friends.” Shayne Christy, an undeclared major from Hawaii, said, “With hanging out, you can get to know someone pretty good, probably better than just dating. You can be their friend, and you get to know that person a lot more. Whereas, when you go on dates you are nervous. You don’t want to tell the person all your flaws.“Some students said while hanging out is fun, dates are also needed. Alyssa Walhood, a junior ICS major from Oregon, said, “Dating is nice. Hanging out is fun.” When asked why hanging out happens, she said it is “because no one wants to pay for food.” Walhood said, “I think dating is fun. It doesn’t mean you have to get married.” Sunni Black, a junior majoring in university studies, from Utah, said,“It’s important to date because it’s the only way anything is going to go anywhere. Zach Zufelt, a EXS major from California, said, “It is easier to identify attributes when dating as opposed to hanging out.’” Elder Oaks counsels, “My single young friends, we counsel you to channel your associations with the opposite sex into dating patterns that have the potential to mature into marriage, not hanging-out patterns that only have the prospect to mature into team sports like touch football.”
Writer: Tucker Grimshaw~Multimedia Journalist
