What is the right age to start dating, and to what extent?

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CleverDan520 asks:

What age should kids be allowed to date or have a girlfiend or boyfriend? And to what extent? Like hanging out at school and talking on the phone together or going to movie and different places like that.

In Topics: Teen sexuality and dating

> 60 days ago

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Expert

lkauffman

Mar 11, 2008

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What the Expert Says:

There are a number of views on that "right" age for a teen to start dating. I personally believe that you should make the decision for your children based upon your own personal beliefs and an understanding of your teen's emotional and physical development.

You should know that there is research that demonstrates that children ages 10-12 who begin steady dating often do more poorly in school and have more behavior problems. Thus, there is some agreement as to what is too "young", but there is little understanding of a universal right age. Most experts believe that if teens under age 15 are allowed to date, they should engage in group dates exclusively and a responsible adult should be present.

For more on teen dating, take a look at the following article and section of this website:

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Teens_Dating_Tips/

http://www.education.com/reference/topic/TeenYears_TeenDatingAndSex/

L. Compian, Ph.D.
Education.com Team

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Additional Answers (29)

Kaitlynn:) writes:

At Least 13.

> 60 days ago

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Spongey writes:

Dating is illegal

> 60 days ago

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littleredboat writes:

Children should respect themselves before any sort of dating happens. But 14 is a good age to start to date.Waiting any longer and most young girls do not know how to behave when they finally get some freedom from their parents.
1. under age drinking
2. unprotected sex

Between 14 -16 all dates should be supervised either by the boys parents are the girls. Group dating while it offers the parents peace of mind do not be naive to think that this can stop sex. Kids have sex these days 2 /3 couples in a room under a comforter/sheet on a floor.

So if you are going to let your child date have an open mind to the possiblity that they will have sex eventually.

The talk must be had with both kids, sex, drinking etc. Give advice on birth control(lets not live in a box and say oh my daughter or son is not having sex.)

At age 16 more freedom 1on 1 dates. Sex does not only take place in the nighttime, sex can take place at anytime any where, kids are having sex at school now.

> 60 days ago

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littleredboat writes:

> 60 days ago

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thulz writes:

i think teens can start dating when they become teens which is at thirteen

> 60 days ago

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Mizfan12 writes:

Alright,I had enough of you thinking that we cant go to dates, think about when you were a kid.You found The Girl/Boy of your dreams.I personally have a girlfriend myself! So stop being so mature and dramatic and be a kid(in love).

> 60 days ago

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xXxBrokenxXx writes:

My opinion is that you shouldn't let your child(s) date untill maybe 18. There more grown up and are more mature, I wouldn't let my kids date in elementary or middle school. That's just dumb for my opinion they have there whole life and there are millions of people out there. It's just the parents opinion, but if your children wanna a bf/gf I'd let them at 16 the earliest.
It's just my opinion :b

> 60 days ago

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