My definition of courtship is getting a parents' blessing to pursue the relationship. Not that it's mandatory but it's nice to have parents like who you go out with. Also, get both families involved in building the relationship. This will sound sexist but girls have a shelf life and should not go out with a man if she can't picture herself marrying him and having his children. That's my personal opinion. I do know other people who have this draconian opinion about courtship but I think mine is pretty relaxed. I've been in some courtship forums where I just shook my head and left.
I wish I had the priviledge of parents who approved of my choices in life. Mine were abusive, tried to control every aspect of my life from day 1, constantly put me down no matter what, and when I met my now-wife and started to rebuild my confidence, they saw that as I threat and tried to stop me back down by lying about her and trying to drive a wedge between us. I had enough and chose to leave my family behind and embrace the one person who was ever completely honest with me in my entire life.
The sad thing is that some people on this site, and even in this topic, would comdemn ME for it.
Parents should have little to do with their children's relationships. Some advice and support and that's it. Any thing more is a sure fire way to cause a divorce. The meddling mother-in-law joke is based on truth.
This will sound sexist but girls have a shelf life
You're right, it's sexist.