Debates discussion

Thanks for this topic, Kara!

Hmmm, that's a great question.

I'd say 16 or 17. I think you should be old enough to drive so if you get in a sticky situation, you can escape more easily. It would also vary for each person, though. I think personally I'm mature enough to date and make responsible decisions, but some other 16-year-olds I know, no offense to them, would probably make some terrible decisions if they dated now.

16 teen

It really depends on how mature you are and how responsible. I'm waiting till 16 so like a year and a half from now.

at LEAST 16 or 17. I'm probably not gonna date till 16. and not get married until after college cuz I don't wanna deal with a relationship especially if it leads to a breakup during college

Kara wrote: "at LEAST 16 or 17. I'm probably not gonna date till 16. and not get married until after college cuz I don't wanna deal with a relationship especially if it leads to a breakup during college"
Me to!!!!!!!

I'll probably wait until after collage. Although my Mom went to college late and had me in her senior year. So I have technically already graduated!!!!

LOL I like people who find loopholes in the system!!! What was your degree, Kaylee? XD
I agree with y'all. I'm okay with dating in college, but getting married is gonna wait, no exceptions. I am not dealing with all of that on top of my obsessive amount of homework...

I probably won't ever get to date while I'm in school, what's funny is that a bunch of 8th graders have their cute lil girl and boy frieds

I definitely think it depends on how mature you are, I’m young and DEFINITELY not dating yet, but I’m mentally mature enough to date. But I see ZERO point in me dating before I can even drive, because if your parents have to drive you somewhere, then it’s just a play date lol
And I think it depends on the boy/girl you want to date as well. If they are mature and you are as well I think it’s great! But even if you are mature enough, if they aren’t I don’t really see a point in dating them.
And I think it really comes down to what your parents say as well, like even if you think you’re able to date, if your parents say you’re not, then you’re probably not! They’ve already gone through this when they were younger, so definitely trust their judgement on it!
For me tho, I won’t be dating until I am 18-19 because I don’t even want a driver license until then either lol (mostly bc I’m lazy and want my parents to drive me everywhere xD)

Emily wrote: "I definitely think it depends on how mature you are, I’m young and DEFINITELY not dating yet, but I’m mentally mature enough to date. But I see ZERO point in me dating before I can even drive, beca..."

^^agreed! I think it depends on the maturity level of each person, not a specific age.

That being said, I don’t think people should date until at least 16. Bare minimum. Even for a mature 14 or 15 year old, that’s still too young to be in a romantic relationship.

(Psst.. I’m just going to put in a plug in here real quick for Outdated: Find Love That Lasts When Dating Has Changed… it’s a book about dating as a Christian that has some pretty solid advice.)

I'll probably get my license as soon as I can because then I can go for the Library Whenever I want.

Anyway, yes Emily is right it does really come down to maturity. I could date maturely and responsibly, but I don't know any guys who have grown out of the stupid jokes stage.

I'd say 16 minimum, but I doubt I'll find anyone by then. xD At least I'll be driving tho!

Yes keep it coming folks!!! Awesome discussion happening here!

I agree with ya'll it depends on how mature the (both) of you are, and I think it's important to see if you can balance your responsibilities with dating.

Me personally, I'm waiting till I graduate high school. (I'm 17 next month) Mainly because I don't want to get involved in a committed relationship when I know I'm moving out of state for college and will probably change a lot in the coming four years.
Not to mention I'm dating for marriage and I'd rather focus on my relationship growth with Christ right now in preparation for marriage if I end up getting married. (Idk I'm open to it but it's not my main goal in life. Whatever I'm called to do.)

I think the decision to date depends on WHY you are dating.
Just to have fun??
For marriage??
Because your jealous of your friends, or see romantic couples in books and really want a relationship because of that?? ( I'm ashamed to say sometimes I do...)

I think by asking WHY? It will help determine WHAT you're looking for in a relationship which will determine your individual WHEN.

Wow, that's really good advice.

Rose (AKA the crazy weird redhead) wrote: "I agree with ya'll it depends on how mature the (both) of you are, and I think it's important to see if you can balance your responsibilities with dating.

Me personally, I'm waiting till I gradua..."

Wow just wow that was the best advice I have ever herd about dating🤯😲💕

Rose, I totally agree with you. Great advice!

Rose (AKA the crazy weird redhead) wrote: "I agree with ya'll it depends on how mature the (both) of you are, and I think it's important to see if you can balance your responsibilities with dating.

Me personally, I'm waiting till I gradua..."

wow that's good advice lol

lol, thx guys. By the way... Anyone else here waiting to date or am I the loner here? XD
It seems most of my friends either have been in a relationship, are in a relationship, or are actively seeking one out.

Rose (AKA the crazy weird redhead) wrote: "lol, thx guys. By the way... Anyone else here waiting to date or am I the loner here? XD
It seems most of my friends either have been in a relationship, are in a relationship, or are actively seek..."

i'm waiting to date as well, seeing that i'm in junior high i really don't want to date yet

For me, you can go hangout with someone at 13 and not be dating. and for me ‘dating’ and ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’ are total separate things. But I wouldn’t have a boyfriend till 15 and honestly I would just be trying it out.

I agree, Avery! I think it'd be fun just to know what it's like.

I can see that. I mean, from what I can tell, it's just basically hanging out with someone. Maybe holding hands or depending on the person a kiss but it's basically the same. The only difference would be the outcome like marriage, which most of you won't be experiencing with that particular person at that age.
Funny to think that you're probably dating someone else's future spouse.

My friends say dating that young is just "practice" but then I tell them so, what, when you break up you're just like;
"Sorry I broke your heart but thanks for the practice!! lol"

I say at least 16.

I think something people really should think about before dating is that "every date is a potential mate" (cringe, but true XD) Also, my brother always says that you have to date for at least 2 years (as an adult is implied), so you know who you're dating and so you see them at their best and more importantly at their worst

Asia (semi–hiatus) wrote: "I say at least 16.

I think something people really should think about before dating is that "every date is a potential mate" (cringe, but true XD) Also, my brother always says that you have to dat..."

That's interesting. I've heard a lot of different things on that. Some people think you should pick as soon as possible and be certain, and others think you should be together for a few years to be absolutely certain. I'm probably somewhere in between. I don't think I'd wait any longer than a year or two after his intentions had been made clear, but I think 3 months is pushing it a bit. Unless you've been friends for a long time and decided to try a romantic relationship. Then I honestly think they'd be good to go as long as they were sure they wanted to live together forever lol

I would say no younger than 16? You need to be mature enough to handle crisis and breakups.

16 is probably good. It's when you can drive, most kids get jobs, you start thinking about if you want to go to college.

I'm 14 and I feel like I'm not ready to date.

I don't know what age it would be considered but I was only really mentally mature enough to date seriously my senior year of high school.

Austin wrote: "I don't know what age it would be considered but I was only really mentally mature enough to date seriously my senior year of high school."

I wouldn't date a boy younger than 17, so you're right on.

I might date at sixteen. I don't know. It all really depends on a lot of things.

~Snow Lily~ wrote: "I would say Its up to yalls parents"

Yeah

~Snow Lily~ wrote: "I would say Its up to yalls parents"

Haha, true.

I think guys generally date younger girls because I think generally Girls are more mature then guys. That being said I'd only date someone if I am looking for marriage so I would not go younger than 18 when looking for a girl.

Yeah, I remember asking my parents how old I had to be to date. My mom said at least sixteen and I'm pretty sure my dad wanted to say NEVER! My parents dated at seventeen so I might start somewhere around there.

yeah I've heard workers who are father's say that they have to only worry about one boy with their son. But they need to worry about all the boys with their daughters, dads are protective of their daughters.

Austin wrote: "yeah I've heard workers who are father's say that they have to only worry about one boy with their son. But they need to worry about all the boys with their daughters, dads are protective of their ..."

Very, very true!

I think once you can cook, clean, and do your own laundry. You can date. You just need to be responsible enough to handle it.

Awww, that's amazing!

~Snow Lily~ wrote: "I'm an........ GODMOTHER and AUNT to Daniella Sanita Dellenbaugh"

CONGRATS VEE!!!

congrats

Austin wrote: "I think guys generally date younger girls because I think generally Girls are more mature then guys. That being said I'd only date someone if I am looking for marriage so I would not go younger tha..."

True. Ma says that girls mature faster than boys XD

Carsie Rose wrote: "Lol. Yea, I've heard that from a lot of guys I know, who's excuse for acting stupid is, "Girls age fasssterrrr. Of course you're more mature.""

That annoys me to no end. Like, at least be decent. Can you act, say, ten?

I KNOW! It's immature to use such an excuse.

But, I mean, they're boys. What else are we supposed to expect?

I've met very few boys who actually act like gentlemen, and their mothers were present, so...

Do boys act immature on purpose or are they really just like big 8 year olds?

Book wrote: "Do boys act immature on purpose or are they really just like big 8 year olds?"

I have no idea, but my friends are going to be hearing that quote!

So my friend said that boys are mostly big 8 year old's, but that they think doing rude or annoying things will impress girls. So... I dunno. Boys are weird.

I had this annoying kid hit on me(using an especially awful pick-up line) And then proceed to give all my friends nasty nicknames, so I guess? I don't have much experience besides that.