I've met and briefly spoken with said Prot group leader. Believe me when I tell you, he is totally against the modern phenomenon of "dating", and I think his idea of courtship would be accepted in any decent person's home, let alone that of a faithful Catholic.
I digress...
Less than 100 years ago, it would have been absolutely unthinkable for the average SECULAR citizen to allow their unmarried daughter to go about in public unaccompanied. The Catholic family would have insisted upon a chaperone, if not a parent, whenever a young lady was out and about.
I've been reading a book called "The Devil's Final Battle", about the Fatima apparitions and the Third Part of the Secret. In that book, then-Cardinal Ratzinger (no shock here) is quoted as saying (my paraphrase) that "countries like Spain and Portugal were basically backwards for decades because, (ed: as faithful Catholic countries) they were living under a social and religious order that was outdated and repressive".
In short, the society of a place like Spain, where the poorest man's daughter would have been guarded like nobility against occasions of sin or inappropriate associations or environments, was "backwards" according to Ratzinger, who allowed fαɢɢօtry, pedophilia and the degradation of the entire social order to take place on his watch while he pretended to be a clergyman.
Put yourself and your children in the position of being allowed to participate in the flesh-parade of the 'dating' world, and you're sinning and leading them to sin. End of story.
By the way, a 'date' is just that. It's an appointment. People set DATES for weddings, parties, dental work, etc. On THIS day, at THIS time, I EXPECT to do this or that.
What, then, is a 'date' between two unmarried people? On THIS date, we EXPECT to do this, that or the other thing, with or without the assumed prospect of future 'dates'. That, quite simply, opens the door to attitudes which say "get it while the getting is good" because 'dates' don't go on forever.
Asking a young lady for a 'date' is nothing short of asking her if she's attracted to you physically and in the most shallow personal ways enough that she might want to spend some time alone with you.
Courting, on the other hand, is the process of a man presenting himself NOT FIRST (or not primarily) to the DAUGHTER, but to the FATHER AND MOTHER (and grandparents, if they live together), in order that the man might get to know the entire immediate family, and vice versa. The importance of learning one another's habits, family traditions, social skills, political and religious opinions, etc CANNOT BE STRESSED ENOUGH!!!
No man who values his health, his reputation or his soul will EVER approach my daughters without my permission. To do so would be to invite not only getting his ears slapped, but to invite my informing of his family and the families of those I associate with of his uncouth intentions.
A 'date' is what you make to get your teeth cleaned. COURTING is just that; preparing yourself to approach the COURT (i.e. the family and associates) of your superior, a gentleman. In the old days you 'courted' for the purpose of determining your worth and fitness for a position either IN the noble's court or for a position of privileged service in the realm.
That's what courtship is is my world. Applying for a singular position and responsibility: co-laboring with me in the flowering and protection of my precious gifts from Our Lord, and ultimately taking on their entire well-being once I have gone to my rest.
Anything less is an offense to chastity and an insult to St. Joseph, who guarded the chastity and innocence of Our Lady to his dying day in this world, and does so to this day in Heaven.
Holy virgin saints, pray for us.
St. Dominic Savio, model of sanctified youth, pray for us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, triumph soon!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.