What Is the Appropriate Age for Your Child to Start Dating?

Dating has already changed since you were a teenager nowadays, the most striking difference is the young age at which juveniles now start dating. On average, half of the population of girls began dating at the age of twelve while thirteen-half of the boys did, per Healthy Children. However, dating suddenly became a recent trend among early adolescents.

Kids can discuss such topics when they are together and as a result, they encounter peer pressure as they spend more time interacting with either their same-sex friends or the opposite sex. Dr. Ron Eagar, a pediatrician at Denver Health Medical Center and father of two grown children says that going out in mixed groups gives boys and girls an opportunity to just cherish and enjoy one another's a company without experiencing any awkwardness and sexual tension that can infringe upon a one-to-one date.

Being a parent or guardian means guiding your child through many complicated stages of life. It can go from changing their diapers to soon teaching them how to tie their shoes to gradually helping teens understand dating and love.

Dating means spent texting or talking on the phone

A parent may be surprised to hear dating labels such as "boyfriend," and "girlfriend." At this age, it probably means that your child is sitting next to a special someone at lunch or spending their time out with someone they like during break time. Friends, however, play a crucial role in relaying information about who likes whom. Thus, even if your child is mooning over a particular girl, most tweens are not really ready for the relationship.

Dating means spending a lot of time texting or talking on the phone, sharing certain photos on social media, and lastly hanging out with certain groups. Some strong romantic attachments can also be established during high school and things can get serious quickly manner.

Nevertheless, parents must not pressure kids to forcibly open up about things particularly about romantic stuff as it could be a little uncomfortable, so if your child cannot discuss such, try not to get upset and take it as a sign that they are not ready yet to talk about it. Parents, on the other hand, should also look after the signs and ensure that kids know their limitations as well, particularly regarding sexual health. Healthline says that it's okay, to be frank, and honest as these are important and are all for their own sake.

What is the age considered appropriate in dating?

Dr. Eagar says the appropriate age for dating is before age sixteen as there is an immense difference between 14-15 and 16-17 in terms of life experience. Many parents view the early relationship as: "It's all about sex" as they know that young ones can be easily swayed by different and massive factors.

Very Well Family reminds parents that it's normal to feel overwhelmed regarding their tween's dating, however, parents must bear in mind to never allow such feelings to govern their own response. Rather, consider your child's maturity level and determine what your child can handle at an early age and guide them all throughout. Avoid being excessively strict as they can be hard-headed and do things you don't personally prefer.