When did you first allow your child to date?
11 or younger (0.0%)
12-13 (2.4%)
14-15 (28.4%)
16-17 (58.4%)
18 or older (5.3%)
It all depends on the child (5.6%)
Both my kids are way too early, thank goodness this is something way down the road for us, lol.
I don't see a problem with kids going on group dates at 12 or 13 but a "Real Date" is something a 14 or 15 year old can handle.
I think we have a long time to be adults and do our kids a favor by letting them be kids for as long as possible. By 16 or 17 I think it is ok to start dating, but I will encourage my daughters not to rush into things.
my oldest will be 4 in august, definitely glad this is a long way off.
I have to say that it is good to let kids be kids. Age 16 or 17 is a good time to introduce dating. Before that I feel they are too young and need more time to mature. Be a kid as long as you can, leave the dating for later.
If we think about the past 200 yrs and how things have changed...society has pushed back the natural feelings that children get....100+ years ago children were getting married at 13 or 14 and becoming mommies, we can't suppress 1000's of years of natural instincts , but we can help them make the right choices and help them understand there feelings for another person...While we may think children are too young to "date" "court" whatever...the kids are feeling different...I think we need to listen and inform...
Natural instincts or not, babies should not be having babies. I think 16-17 is more appropriate to start dating. Adulthood is a long period, so let kids be kids as long as possible. Once you cross the line to adulthood, you can't go back.
16 makes the most sense.
I think it depends on the maturaty of the child. Every child is at different levels of maturity.
I might be a tad bit old fashion for saying 16-17, however with all the scary teen pregnancies out there, i fear for the future of my child. So many parents or counselors are uncomfortable with the topic of "sex" with their children! what is so hard about it if it will ensure a child won't walk down the wrong path too soon?