At what age should you allow your child to date?

1. 88

   jpcmcposted 12 years ago

   At what age should you allow your child to date?
   
   Sooner or later our children will go out with someone.  Dating is part of growing up.  So at what age should we allow them to go on dating?

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2. 66

   KrystalDposted 12 years ago

   It depends on the child. Only a parent has a clue of the true maturity of their child.

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3. 60

   greatparentingposted 12 years ago

   It kind of depends on what you consider dating. At 13 or so it should be fine for your child to have a "friend" over to the house one on one but if you're referring to letting your child go out on a date outside the home, I'd suggest waiting until 15 and at that age, they will need to be driven to a destination by an adult, unless they can walk or get their via mass transit.

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4. 74

   prektjr.dcposted 12 years ago

   I allowed my children to begin dating at 16.  This was also based on their individual maturity and it worked out okay with all three of my children.  My daughter was first, so was dating a boy 17.  My sons were dating girls their own age, so there was no one in the car under 16.  They did have to have their license first, so that put one son at almost 17 as his birthday hit well before the driving classes were available for students in his grade.  Again, it is based on the individual, but at 16 they are more ready to make decisions that reflect consideration of others.  Dating involves people other than just your child, so that is something to consider.  Also wanted them mature enough to make good decisions regarding where they go, what they do and whom they are with.

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5. 61

   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   I suppose it is unreasonable to say "35."  We went with 15 for group, 16 single dating--with lots of discussion.  We had to meet the young man, know where he lived etc.  So we started out with have the fellow over for dinner or something at the house to get to know him.

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6. 79

   elayne001posted 12 years ago

   From personal experience, 13 is too young to date exclusively. Group dating is okay as long as they are home at a decent hour. Nothing good happens after midnight! As the child matures and shows they can be trusted, they can start single dating. I think it is best not to go "steady" until they have decided what they want out of life including school, career, and other ambitions.

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7. 86

   stephhicks68posted 12 years ago

   I agree that it depends on the age/maturity of the child, but also the person they are dating and what they plan to do on a date, where they plan to go.  If you have a highly responsible child that has earned your trust, 14 or 15 may be appropriate under certain circumstances.
   
   I am a mom of boys that are 14 and 12.  Fortunately, we haven't crossed this threshold yet.  I would have similar considerations in deciding whether my child is old enough to drive (driver's license notwithstanding).

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8. 48

   StarringUposted 12 years ago

   HO BOY.  Goin thru this right now. ALL OVER again. SUX dont it? My daughter just turned 15 . . .  and i dont want her out with a bunch of teens who JUST got their license on bumpy curvy country roads (rural country hick area)
   
   groan.    Hard isnt it? But..its LIFE

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9. 58

   torrirainposted 12 years ago

   i guess it depends on who it is they want to date:)

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10. 68

    kittyjjposted 12 years ago

    As a parent, I prefer my kids wait until they turn 18.  But my question is: do we, as parents, really have that power to control our kids' feeling over someone they have a crash on?

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11. 60

    Michael Belkposted 12 years ago

    I would want them to wait until  about 16-18 but they will  truly decide that.  I was busy so I am sure they would be.

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12. 61

    Nicholas Ikumiposted 12 years ago

    probably at twenty and above,though you never can tell when they find a date for the first time.twenty and above would do me fine.having a date is a bit different for a teenage because they are trying to realise themselves both socially and sexually,it's not like having a friend coming over for a sleep over,or going out for fun with an adult supervising.Twenty and above is okay.

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13. 83

    urgurl_briposted 12 years ago

    I think maybe 15 or 16.   Or once they get to high school, like 9th grade, at least on a group date.

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14. 73

    jonp31posted 12 years ago

    I wouldn't put an age on it, but I would say when the child is responsible enough to take on the role of a husband or wife he or she is ready to date.  So, if mom and dad are buying your food and your clothes and paying for your car insurance and cell phone ... I don't think it's the time to begin dating! 
    
    I don't think dating should be "recreational" but rather for the purpose of determining who that person is you're going to marry and spend your life with.  People who aren't ready to do that (I'll qualify it by saying there are some exceptions) really aren't ready to date.  As a wise man once said, "Children want the privileges of adulthood without being willing or able to assume its responsibilities."  And it shouldn't be that way.

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15. 61

    CandleBagsposted 12 years ago

    I have written this hub in response to a question that was asked on the HubPages website. The question was, "At what age should you allow your child to date?". Over the weekend, I thought about this question and today have sat down to write a response. I have also spoken to other people about their thoughts.
    
    When thinking about what age should a parent allow a child to date, the parent must take into consideration the childs level of maturity... read more

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16. 56

    eva43posted 12 years ago

    That depends! if my child is mature enough to deal with that matter, there is no reason for me to stop him/her from doing so. But of course before that, we have to discuss things; effects of doing this and that, etc.

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17. 0

    Starmom41posted 11 years ago

    depends on what the term means where you live.
    Where I'm from, "dating" was going to a movie, going to a dance, etc.
    For that, I think 13 or 14 is reasonable.
    
    however, I currently reside in an area where "dating" means "sexually active."
    there are even parents who push their pre-teen kids into it.
    and, from what I've seen and heard, it's not anything new.

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