what is a great age for teen dating

[chantemeekki]

please tell me why teens think they are ready

[JessieKateRose]

Why they think they're ready for a baby? That's different from dating. You can date as a teen and still be abstinent or use birth control.

[beat1220]

That I can remember my parents let me have my first boyfriend at 16 and thats only because he was a member of my church. I think its a good age anything earlier would seem unacceptable to me as a future parent

[lynnc35]

because all of there friends are doing it or at least all of their friends are telling their parents all of their friends are doing it.

[zlinedavid]

All depends on the teen

Note: If my fiancee and I end up having a girl come August, I reserve the right to change my answer to "40".

[dreamyxo]

18.  A teenager's only focus should be on school and keeping their room clean and maybe playing sports if that's what they like and not dating.  They have the rest of their lives for that. 

[lvstephanie]

I think it depends on what is meant by "dating". If it's just allowing teens to interact with members of the opposite sex, then 13-14 seems ok... I remember going on group "dates" that young, where a handful of us, with both sexes in the group, would go catch a movie together, hang out at the mall, etc. I think that allows for a healthy understanding of the opposite sex; they are seen as friends / companions instead of just a body to have sex with. One-on-one dates could be a little later in life, say 16 or thereabouts. Again these "dates" should be more how to act around and treat the opposite sex, and not for having intimate relationships (both in terms of having sex as well as creating a mental / spiritual bond with the other person). As a parent, I'd keep these dates as public -- like allow them to go to a restaurant, movie, dance, etc. together -- but not allow them to be alone at one's house, rent hotel rooms, etc. so as to prevent the temptation to have sex before they are truly ready. True courtship, where a person dates to find that special someone to spend the rest of their life with, shouldn't really occur until the person knows themselves and is ready to become a self-sustaining adult in society. That type of dating may occur much later in a person's life; they may want to wait until college-age or later when they know what direction they want to go in for their adult-life.

[Brittney030208]

I am a 21 year old new mom to a 10 month old. I never had a real 'date' till I was 18, but I went to the movies & skating and such. I can still say no much good came of it.

I don't plan on letting my daughter date till at least 16 and that's only depending on how she actually turns out and her grades. lol.

All depends on the teen

Note: If my fiancee and I end up having a girl come August, I reserve the right to change my answer to "40".

Congratulations!!!! 

[snewoyelhsa]

I think 16 is a good age. It all depends on the child though. I got my first boyfriend at 15 and I kind of wish I had waited because I definitely was way too young and just not ready for all the problems it brings.

[footemama]

I think it depends on the teen, their maturity level etc. I agree about the group "dates" starting around 13 -14, with individual "dates" in public places starting at 15 - 16. After that I'm going to just have to trust that I raised my child right and he will respect himself and any girls he is "dating" by keeping it just dating and not adding sexual relations into the mix until later (hopefully at least 18...fingers crossed).

 *sigh* The ages that kids are starting to have sex is just mind boggling. There were a few kids having sex when I was in middle school but not until around 8th grade and those kids were not thought very highly of! These days some kids are starting around 6th grade and I'm having trouble wrapping my head around that! I mean why? At 12 don't you have enough problem without adding sex into the mix.... It's amazing that the rate of teen pregnancy is actually going down in most places although maybe not for long with all these TV shows glamorizing teen parenthood. 

[mx3madman]

One on one dating for teenagers should not start until the child is at least 15 I think that most teenagers should date in group's of people...between the age's of 13 -14.

[SDuilio]

My daughter just turned 13 and I am definitely not ready for her to start dating! She is very involved with sports year round and to be honest hasn't shown much interest in dating boys yet to which I am very thankful! I really do think sports keep kids busy and out of trouble so to speak. I would be okay with her going on group outings with boys and girls but most of her friends are either not that into boys yet or have a boyfriend.  I think 13 is way too young to have a boyfriend!

[fusion61]

I think sweet sixteen is great to start dating...that is my intake but if you can wait until eighteen, that would be better.

[reneabingham]

DEPENDS ON THE KID SOME SAY 14 IN MY BROTHERS CASE 21

[ejholt]

I think a girl or boy should not be allowed to date till they are 16 years old.  That way they will be mature enough to know what to do.  I was raised in the 50's and my mother and father would not let me date till then.