Is dating and relationship the same?

 The above question has kept many wondering if the two words are actually the same or not. 

Dating as well as relationship means different thing to different people. While many believed that the two are the same, many others are confused if they are the same or not. 

But before I dwell on whether they are the same or not, I will like to define what they really are. 

What is dating? 

Dating involves two people : a boy and a girl, going out on a date so as to examine each other completely or carefully in order to find out about each other and their compatibility. It is the going out with someone whom you are interested in sexually or romantically. During the date process, they explore whether to take further steps towards starting a relationship. They may have dates on a regular basis but not sexual relations.

Key takeaways

Examine : To look at somebody closely, to see if there's anything wrong or to understand them. 

Interest : The feeling that you have when you want to know more about somebody or learn more about them. 

Compatibility : To see if they can be able to live together in future without any problems. 

Date : meeting that you have arranged with someone who might become your boyfriend or girlfriend. 

What is relationship? 

Relationship is the way in which two people behave towards each other or deal with each other i.e a loving and sexual feeling. It is an emotional state that involve a mutual dealings between two people, which is usually a boy and a girl. It involves mutuality, commitment, expectations and trust. 

Key takeaways

Sexual feelings : This is a desire to have sexual activity between each other. 

Mutual dealings : When both parties involved feel the same way about each other. 

Commitment : A promise to support someone or to do something for someone in a particular way. 

Trust : The belief that somebody is good, sincere and honest, etc. and will not try to harm you or trick you. 

From the foregoing, we could deduce that relationship are based on mutual agreement, commitment and trust whereas dating are based on going out and having fun with the intention of checking each other's suitability.

People in a relationship are connected. They share a bond and most importantly involves romantic and sexual relations. On the other hand, dating is a process which might or might not become a relationship depending on the people involved but does not involve romantic and sexual relations.

Another thing to note is that relationship has fights, tears, arguments and sometimes pain which is absent in dating. It is impossible to have a relationship without fight unless you are not true to each other while you can't fight with someone you are exploring. 

Therefore, relationship and dating differs in the sense that one involves mutual agreement and the other does not. There are some things you expect from your partner while in a relationship which cannot be expected while on a date.