Maybe you aren't allowed to date until you're 16, and your parents enforce a strict 10:00 pm curfew. You are only allowed out with a member of the opposite sex if you are with a group, and you aren't allowed to be home alone with your special someone. Your friends expect you to kiss on the first date, or at least hold hands for half the night.

There are so many rules and expectations weighing you down that you don't feel like you can have your relationship exactly the way you want.

But if you think you have it rough, read on and see just how easy you have it compared to your ancestors...

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Ancient Courtship

In ancient times, mates were captured- not chosen. If there was a shortage of young women in town, men would raid another village and forcibly carry off women to be their wives. Usually the tribe from which a bride was stolen would come looking for her, and the new couple would be forced into hiding.

When men weren't out capturing their wives, arranged marriages were the norm. In ancient Greece, matrimony was planned by the parents. Girls in their early teens were married to men in their mid-thirties, who were required to buy their brides from their fathers. Most times, a couple never even saw each other until the bride's veil was removed after the wedding ceremony.

The Spartans believed that a person's athletic ability matched their fitness for marriage. Before marrying, a couple was required to wrestle in public to prove their compatibility. The groom's father chose the bride, and the couple was married a year after the selection.

Medieval Chivalry

From buying a woman dinner to opening a door for her, many of today's common dating practices are rooted in medieval chivalry. The importance of love in matrimonial decision-making increased during this time, but still wasn't a prerequisite.

The majority of the wooing burden fell to the men who - instead of flashing muscles and athleticism - wooed young ladies by serenading them and writing flowery poetry reminiscent of lovelorn characters on the stage and in "poetic"verse.

During this time, chastity and honor were highly regarded virtues. Men didn't even dare look (let alone touch) below a woman's lips without fearing for their lives.

Victorian Era

In the period from 1837-1901, romantic love grew to be regarded as the primary basis for marriage. Courting became - if you can believe it even more formal, especially among the upper classes. If a young man was interested in a young lady, he must be introduced to her - he couldn't just go up and start talking to her.

After they'd been introduced, the gentleman would present his card to the young lady to indicate that he was interested in escorting her home. At the end of the evening, the young woman would look over her options and present her card to the man she wished to serve as her escort.

Almost all courting took place in the girl's home under the very watchful eye of her parents. As the relationship progressed, the couple might be allowed to advance to the front porch. Smitten couples rarely saw each other without a chaperone, and marriage proposals were frequently written.

And you thought you had it bad!