In the US, it used to be common to date people with little or no expectancy of getting married. Some of that dating led to premarital as l sex, but mostly it didn’t.
Then the sixties happened, and a dramatic split occurred. Some teens and early twenties were still involved in dating as a means to know more about each other. A great many though were having sex like watching television; changing channels back and forth, many times not knowing the name, just wanting entertainment. Parties were common where couples used drugs and had sex, and changed partners, one couple joining with another.
They considered these behaviors freedom.
Politics, schools, parents, media, many things can be blamed for changing trends. The thing is, environments change. Everything is to blame and nothing is to blame.
Dating for practice does work out for some people. For others it can be painful. If two people agree to date without promise for the future, then they can’t be surprised when one tells the other it is time to quit. It isn’t wrong for the people who can handle the goodbyes. It is wrong to date that way for people who only enter into dating with expectations for a future together.
Yes, people can get hurt when they think they are practicing dating, and then realize they are in love but their date is not.
I say all these things not to support either a vote for or against. I say all these things to point out either way will be right for some, wrong for others.
If you find it confusing or without merit for you, then you should not try this, or at least not before you can feel better. If friends pressure you, do only what you feel comfortable with. Their opinions are not law, not even often important.
One thing is for certain. Before you date anyone, you should have a serious conversation about what each of you want from the other.
Social changes can be difficult. Keep talking about this with us, or at least those you feel comfortable talking with.