Should Teens Be a Certain Age Before They Start Dating?

by SodaHead Living Posted 2011/06/22 19:18:22

Related Topics: dating, Teens, Kids, Relationships, Health, Sexuality, Sex, Courtney Alexis Stodden, Doug Hutchison, Husband, School, Date, SodaHead, State, Work, Time

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	Yes, they should be at least...	161 votes	58%
	No	117 votes	42%

With all the discussion over whether or not 16-year-old Courtney Stodden should have been allowed to marry her 51-year-old husband, it only seems appropriate that we bring up the issue of teen dating.

Because according to WebMD, only about half of 16-year-olds have even started dating.

"I think people are ready at different times," says L. Kris Gowen, PhD, EdM, a researcher in sexual and mental health at the Portland State University School of Social Work.

That may be true, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a parent willing to let their 12-year-old go on a proper date, no matter how "ready" they felt they were.

+16

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Wesley Bishop 2011/06/23 01:08:21

No

+7
The more you restrict them the more secrative they become.
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More polls by SodaHead Living

Bowman 2011/06/23 07:02:27

Yes, they should be at least...

+1
An Associates Degree

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stevegt... to Bowman 2011/06/23 20:31:59

+1
great answer. he he he.

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Isisdron 2011/06/23 07:01:43

No

+1
they will find a way. I was curious at a young age and lost my virginity pretty early. My mom didnt know for a long time, partly because I knew she would try to stop me and also partly because she was weird about sex herself and I knew she would freak out. I kept this bf for 2 years, until I was 17. Then I started doing older guys, and she freaked out about that. Sex happens people, get over it. Just tell your kids what they need to know.

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Jane Doe 2011/06/23 06:33:36

Yes, they should be at least...

+1
-mature enough to know themselves well and have self respect.

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RachelN... to Jane Doe 2011/06/23 08:32:40

+1
the younger they are the less they are going to make the same mistake twice. they have to learn from their mistakes

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Jane Doe to RachelN... 2011/06/23 16:23:17

I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're saying.

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sjalan 2011/06/23 06:19:03

Yes, they should be at least...

+1
Shaparoned outings -- 10-13
Supervised at anothers home. 13-16.
Limited dating 16-18

These ages depends entirely upon the maturity of the individual.

It worked very well for my kids. It works for my grandkids and hopefully for the great-grandkids.

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stevegt... to sjalan 2011/06/23 14:23:42 (edited)

sodahead.com 6/23/2011 not a bad guidline that you detailed...... but some kids call going out with other friends "dating" like in a group environment, and if the girl is interested in the boy or just the opposite..... what means "dating" to an adult may not mean, "dating" to a young teen. And yeah.... i would have it shaparoned up to age 15 even if my young teens were responsible.

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sjalan to stevegt... 2011/06/24 05:47:03

Thanks. Mine all turned out ok. A doctor, A dental hygienist and a moving company scheduler.

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skye 2011/06/23 06:18:39

No

idc watevr floats their love boat works with me but im not interested yet

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Montana 2011/06/23 06:14:39

Yes, they should be at least...

I'd say 23. Or when you've had enough time to understand what is actually important in life. If you ever find yourself bored or sad, you haven't had enough time.

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SykPuppy 2011/06/23 06:09:46

Yes, they should be at least...

I would say they'd have to be 16, minimum, for a real, "proper" date.

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Redneck 2011/06/23 06:09:33

Yes, they should be at least...

16 maybe, but we'll talk about it.

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DavidK 2011/06/23 06:05:51

Yes, they should be at least...

40! (unless you're a guy. Then 10 should be sufficient!)

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Jane Doe to DavidK 2011/06/23 06:31:36

Who would the straight males be dating if the females are locked up until age forty?

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DavidK to Jane Doe 2011/06/23 06:36:14

stray 14 year old runaways.....

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Jane Doe to DavidK 2011/06/23 06:36:49

:D

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DavidK to Jane Doe 2011/06/23 06:42:51

(I better shut up before they come and lock me up!)

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Jane Doe to DavidK 2011/06/23 06:49:00

You're hilarious...where have you been my whole (Sodahead) life? ;)

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DavidK to Jane Doe 2011/06/23 07:11:02

I get a little "wild" on here.... so BE CAREFUL!!! ;O

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Jane Doe to DavidK 2011/06/23 16:24:09

*cowers in fear* ;)

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Student 2011/06/23 06:01:09

Yes, they should be at least...

18 is a good age.

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StrawberryNonsense 2011/06/23 05:55:19

Yes, they should be at least...

+1
I mean... I don't want my kids 'dating' someone when they're in the 5th grade. I'd say once they're in high school, just because I know I'd be so afraid of them getting hurt.

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Ben~ Libertarian Socialist 2011/06/23 05:27:26

No

+2
They should whenever they like. I for one have not yet but that is due in part to being so picky.

reply
Truth Matters 2011/06/23 05:24:53

Yes, they should be at least...

+4
At least 35 for my daughters. I've got a chainsaw and a wood-chipper waiting for those who won't wait.

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Dirtclimber 2011/06/23 05:11:44

Yes, they should be at least...

+1
my daughters are going to date when they are 30 plus and they wont have sex till after marriage.
I will just keep telling myself that.
Just leave me alone to believe what i need to.

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DavidK to Dirtcli... 2011/06/23 06:08:02

LOL!!! My wifes parents thought the same way........(of course I did too with my daughters!)

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Panda 2011/06/23 05:10:39

Yes, they should be at least...

I say 15. But I was boy crazy at 5!

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Algor. Mortis. - ҎԊǢɬ Physi... 2011/06/23 05:03:26

No

+1
People need to find out for themselves whether or not they're ready, and you're probably not going to be ready when your first date comes around.

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BaNaNaNa 2011/06/23 04:39:58

Yes, they should be at least...

12

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Ash-the-empress 2011/06/23 04:39:58 (edited)

Yes, they should be at least...

Sixteen seems about right for a "proper" date. Though, I was 6 when I had my first "love" affair. XD

reply
Jorden 2011/06/23 04:37:42

No

Nothing's going to stop us either way. If you don't let us, that doesn't mean we won't do it. It's just like prohibition in the 1920s. Telling people they can't do something that they really want to do doesn't stop them from doing it, it just makes them do it illegally. My mom is emphatic that I can't start dating until I'm sixteen. I'm fifteen and I've been dating my girlfriend for over a year now without her knowledge or consent.

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PapaBC 2011/06/23 04:34:01

Yes, they should be at least...

45 or when I am not there to worry.

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kinsey asdfghjkl 2011/06/23 04:29:43
whatareyourthoughtson 2011/06/23 04:27:21

Yes, they should be at least...

Married!

reply
Algor. ... to whatare... 2011/06/23 05:01:58

The only way I can see this working is arranged marriage, are you for arranged marriages?

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whatare... to Algor. ... 2011/06/23 05:05:50

like Isaac? sure!

(Genesis 24:64) And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.

(Genesis 24:65) For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

(Genesis 24:66) And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.

(Genesis 24:67) And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

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Algor. ... to whatare... 2011/06/23 05:08:48

Pics or it didn't happen

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whatare... to Algor. ... 2011/06/23 05:15:42

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Nattie 2011/06/23 04:21:46

Yes, they should be at least...

16 is the youngest they'd have to be before I'd ever even consider letting them date, and if I found out they had sneaked and done it anyway, that age would be higher and they would be spanked before a grounding that would make their grandkids wince.

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