How early is too early to start dating?

[AnnaTumbles]

I'm 16 and I don't know if this is the right time or too early to start doing this.

[Chazmatazz269]

In my opinion, it’s too early. First of all, your impulse control is shit. Even worse for boys the same age. Also, you haven’t developed the critical thinking skills necessary to properly assess risk vs reward. Third, you likely aren’t prepared to deal with ANY of the consequences that result from poor decisions stemming from the first two. Fourth, you have WAY more important stuff to worry about right now. Learning to drive. Discovering politics and voting. Getting a good fundamental education to either get a good job or get you into college or university to set yourself up for a better job or career.
The smartest young woman i’ve ever met was quite lovely. After getting to know her a bit, i asked the same dumb question she’d probably been asked 100 times by older dudes who admired her combination of brains and beauty. Her response was brilliant and concise, “I don’t have time for boys. They just get in the way and slow me down.”. She was almost certainly not wrong. I rarely admire people younger than myself, but she’s up there. If she ends up on my ballot, i won’t hesitate to vote for her! Ell oh ell! The whole world would be a better place if more young men and women thought like her. Of that i am absolutely certain.

[Bmories99]

I am probably old-fashioned in my thoughts and opinions. My thought is depending on maturity level group dating with friends would be acceptable between 14 to 17. Depending on maturity one on one dating 17 and beyond. However for my daughter (was the same with my sister) I will need to meet or know her group of friends. To date my daughter I will need to meet the young man and remind him what my expectations are. This all stems from my decision of dating. Group dates are fun get togethers where friends are able to get to know one another and to establish a releastic idea of what they are looking for in a spouse. Once you get to one on one dating you are now applying that idea (criteria) to the young men you meet to determine if you could see yourself as their spouse or marring them. The definition of dating is to select or choose your spouse. So before you consider going out with someone see how they act with friends, how do they treat their friends or family. Then ask your self do I see myself marring this man? Do I see myself having his kids?

[VIVANT]

People seem to date from grade school onward so it really depends on you how you feel & if you like anyone. I had a bc when I was 6. It was innocent obviously but we were official lol he gave me a grape flavored ring.

just don’t do anything you are not comfortable with and I don’t see the problem— it’s just spending time with someone you “like” 🤷🏻‍♀️ If they are trying to move too fast for you end it.

We don’t get experience without living. The more you get to know people the better prepared you’ll be when you are ready for a real relationship. You can keep it very light until you’re ready for something deeper. I wouldn’t look at it as when but as how intimate. Surely hanging out w/ boys as friends now is ok & you can leave it that as king as that’s all you want.

[jennifer_bloom]

I would wait until at least 19 or 20 but only date guys close to your age, after 22, I think it’s okay to date guys a little older like 27 or 29. When your 30, I think any guy under 44 is fine.

[OlderAndWiser]

That is a question that would best be discussed with your parents, not strangers on the internet.

[Emilyis]

I actually had my first real date at 15, I was a freshman in High School and he was the same age. We dated for two months then he moved 200 miles away. It broke my heart, my mom really liked him. I only dated two other boys is school. One of them got kicked in the balls because he grabbed my coochie and the other got slapped because he grabbed my nipple. Two separate incidents. I never dated in High School again. When I was in my second year of college, I ran into my old First boyfriend. We dated for the next 2 1/2 years and married just before we graduated College. We were 21 and I found out that on our wedding night, we both were virgins. IT was worth everypenny, Don't start dating too early. You can ruin everything.

[love_conquers_lust]

Talk to your parents.

At the same time, I’ll tell you what I’d tell my niece. By US standards, you’d still be a dependent, so you can’t really date. You can have boyfriends and crap, but you can’t have the same privacy adults do, and you shouldn’t. School is more important at this juncture.

If you want to end up like some of the embittered women or men on here, by all means, do it. But most of them didn’t get proper education either academically and/or socially. That’s why they end up stuck with kids, don’t get laid, call each other infants, whatever. Enjoy this time with your friends.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

Love is a wonderful feeling & in life everyone should explore that feeling as well. In life I always say if you like someone you should let them know & in life if you don’t try you will never know & when it comes to love it’s so well worth trying.

You Ask: ( How early is too early to start dating? )

My Answer: ( Start dating when you are ready. )

[BlueScorpio]

That's about the age most kids were dating when u was in high school. But I even I think it's still pretty young, teens aren't usually mature ir focused enough for deep relationships. Best thing to di us just enjoy your teens, have fun with friends, and focus on your grades. Don't rush into the dating life, boys aren't going anywhere any time soon. A lot girls who didn't date in high-school find their boyfriends/husbands after graduation or in college. So you have plenty of time to date.

[ohsheeT]

I think you need to not do it until you're 40 that's all there is to it because the moment something happens you're going to feel it so deep you're going to just totally fall in love and he has to be the right guy for you if he's going to date you so not until you're 40 otherwise you're restricted to your room forever that's all there is to it sorry

[Apulu_Imback]

Everyone have different time. You are okay to date if you are mentally prepared about all the responsibilities and stuff. For me and my crush we aren't dating. We are planning to do after we finish our studies and become something in our life. We aren't ready yet.

[razelove]

You should be fine at 16 as long as you aren't going outside your own age range, or comfort zone. Really it's up to you, if you have that desire, and someone you feel comfortable, and like you could be happy exploring that with.

The large benefit of dating young is that you have many options of who you can be with, as others aren't tied down as much with marriage, kids, careers and what not. Figure out what you want, have fun with it, get hurt some, learn.

[TacosRAwesome]

I think 16 is a fairly common age to start dating at. But you're the one that knows what age you're ready to date.

[Blackcosmo]

I think 16 is a pretty good age to date honestly. People start dating as early as 11 and that's too early.

[Pudsmucker]

My daughters and granddaughters started dating at age 16. Those dates were basically a group date. I too dated at age 16, it is a fun time. I never created trouble tell my college years. Too many people knew who I was, they also in my parents. my town was quite small everybody knew everybody.

[Faith18letsgo]

You can definitely start dating at 16! That said, there’s no rush. When you want to date someone ask them out, until then keep doing your own thing, having those strong friendships etc.

[SkyExplorer]

I was forced to jerk a guy off when I was 15 and started dating / having sex when I was 16 but everyone is different, I have guy friends that are mid 20s and have never dated or have never touched a girl

[JamesDiaz11]

Any younger than 18/19 is too young to be dating. You should focus on school and friends, not putting yourself in a situation to get your heart broken, attention pulled away from what is important, and where you might be pregnant.

[FilmGuy93]

I didn't start dating until college. I had a really screwed up home life, and I knew I wouldn't be able to handle a relationship without projecting my family's toxicity onto the girl, so I didn't even try.

[Staximus]

If it's like guys from your high school that you and your friends know, that's fine. I don't know about going out and meeting up with random dudes though.

[crossdressingrihno]

In my opinion you’re already at the age to start dating but at the same time if you’re not comfortable with dating then you shouldn’t do it

[laurieluvsit]

Your age is fine. I started much earlier.

You are very wise now and can make good decisions :)

[DannyUk2017]

Well by the "look" of it is not too early when ure 16, i mean you dating/get to know eachother, Not getting married/sex in an instant!

[Adam1978]

It's fine to start dating at your age but you need ro take it really slow. And guys your age will be terrible at it.

[Lliam]

Sweet sixteen is a good age to start dating. It's common for girls to be dating by high school.

[Twalli]

If you're ready, do ot. Don't do anything sexual until you're ready either. Just because you start dating doesn't mean it hasn't to become sexual. Before me, my girlfriend was in a 10 year relationship that never became sexual

[glennos89]

Do it when you feel ready but be carefull with guys that are older then you because some of them just want to have sex with you

[IveGotNoName]

Depends on the person, I think 16 is a good minimum, some might be ready earlier or later though.

[mandyfire98]

16 is pretty normal I think. I started when I was 15.

[Sour-rose]

when you don't even know how to crawl to mommy.

[exitseven]

When I was 16 I was probably old enough to start dating , the problem was that I was too scared to actually ask a girl out on a date.

[zagor]

Teens vary enormously in maturity and interests so I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all age. But 12 would definitely be too early.

[Kasabiian]

The purpose of dating someone is to find out if they are a suitable marriage mate for you. So, at 16, do you feel that you are ready for marriage?

[Shy_Steve]

Don't worry about it, I'm sure a lot of Girls would of started when they were younger than you anyway so if you feeling lonely and want Male attention just go for it.

[Shamalien]

I had my first date at 15 but some of these girls were just nuts, not at all mature enough for anything. If you think you can be mature go for it but for god’s sake keep yer legs shut

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

My sister started dating at age 16 and we live in America

[TwiNshichamp1]

I can tell you do whatever makes you comfortable, or wait until you turn 18 or 20 It's nice age for dating.

[Anonymous]

No reason to date unless you want marriage. Otherwise might as well just have sex with strangers who you are attracted to? Or are you getting experience for your future partner to please them better? Or do you just want kids?

[Surely]

16 is Kind of young for serious dating. But should still be old enough to know better! If you know what I am referring to?

[jengeorge26]

@Surely I didn’t know anything but he did lol

[Harbringer26]

I'm glad you ask the question. Far from all young men and women do these days. I believe 16 *can* be enough to date a bit, but it depends on the maturity of the person.

[fonduegirl]

Thirteen or fourteen. I think you're still okay.

[jamesgoldman]

It's a variable series of factors but I started at 16

[britishbby]

What ever suits u, personally I didn't go on a proper date till around 19

[Waldoe]

everyone is different, if you have to ask, maybe you are not ready, when you are ready, no one will be able to stop you

[Bklynbadboy12]

I personally think 16 is the perfect age to start dating

[Vick2828]

Nothing is never too early. If you like someone be with them. But get to know each other first. I would say two weeks to a month is fine.

[WhitneySnow]

16 is fine. I officially started at 15.

[swettannie]

do you want to start dating? if yes, you're good

[collie22]

to me 16 is fine to date, i think 13 a or 14 is to young

[HaveNoName]

Any time when you do not intend to. lead it to getting married in a reasonably short time.

[jengeorge26]

I had my first date when I was 14?

[OddBeMe]

Daring is fine. I’d say sex is a bit to soon. I’d just have fun and learn about the opposite sex.

[MrTaboo]

Well I'm not much of a morning person. So I'd say no earlier than 10 am

[nawtee_me]

You will know when you are ready, you may still be to young but you will know.

[Anonymous]

I guess not. I'll be jealous though. I didn't get the privilege of a male wanting to date me till 17, so any earlier makes me personally sad.

[Monica1984_]

15/16 when you enter high school.

[KelleyNice]

You are old enough to date. Just be careful.

[crmoore]

Dating is fine at 16, especially if it's casual.

[Idkwtfimdoing96]

18+ is the right age in my opinion

[Massageman]

Groups dates about 15- go from there.

[Ironic_Method]

16 sounds fine for dating, just be safe about it.

[AngelOfLight258]

I'd say before high school.

[Wise4myage]

I think 16 is a good age.

[jengeorge26]

@Wise4myage. Yea I should have waited

[Wise4myage]

@jengeorge26 I'm not saying you should have waited, but I understand.

[jengeorge26]

Thank you sweetie

[Wise4myage]

@jengeorge26 Sure thing.

[Straight2thepoint]

Once u can be independent.