07-29-2011 at 2:23 AM

I'm on both sides of this.<br /> <br /> Kids should not be dating until at least 13, if not older. Being a kid myself, I know how irresponsible us younger people are. I started dating when I was in 4-5th grade and now that I look back, that was way too young. I was irresponsible about who I dated and sometimes even dated kids I had just met. I regret that childish past and now agree with some that kids 13- should not be dating.<br /> <br /> No matter what you might say about yourself, there are some who will just date anyone. Crushes and holding hands and hugging is acceptable to me, but there are so many influences around me. <br /> <br /> Now, I did say I was on both sides. I also think dating, as Fyre said, builds relationship skills. It also really depends on what your definition of "dating" is. If it's being happy with that person and simply holding hands then that's fine with me, but kissing, making out, anything sexual is just too much. <br /> <br /> Also dating people 5+ years than you, that's ridiculous. It's pretty much what Kit said. No matter how mature you think you are, you're just lying to others and yourself and might give yourself a bad reputation.

07-28-2011 at 11:31 PM

I'd say 11 is a fine age for beginning to date, for "puppy love" and whatnot, but the premature sexualization of children nowadays is a little alarming. Starting much earlier than that means starting everything else just a little bit earlier (or a lot earlier, because you've not yet gained the maturity to value prudence). I remember jr. high and it wasn't pretty. There were a lot of things going on with which the involved parties weren't yet mature enough to deal.<br /> <br /> A separate issue is 11-year-olds dating older kids or even adults, which is totally unacceptable. No matter how mature you think you are, you are pretty much just lying to yourself and the people around you if you're proving it by dating someone much older. I mean, we pretty much plateau as individuals between the ages of 17 and 30, so with adults an age difference isn't much a deal, but with kids, they're still climbing the hill, you know?

07-28-2011 at 6:44 PM

Kids dating are fine, but like 11 and under as long as it's not super serious. But yea kids DO have feelings no matter what they say, I'm 13 and have been with my boyfriend for a year happily.

07-26-2011 at 6:22 AM

I think that childhood sweethearts are one thing, but kids dating is another. I think the minimum age for actually going out on dates is 12, and even then it should only be group dates untill 13/14. But little kids liking each other and holding hands is sweet.

07-21-2011 at 3:24 PM

I think kids dating each other is perfectly fine. As mentioned it helps build up relationship skills for the future.<br /> <br /> @Kira<br /> Not all kids know nothing about love or only like someone for looks. My brother and his girlfriend started dating when they were about 10/11 and are still together to this day which they're now 16.

07-16-2011 at 8:35 AM

I'm not for it. I don't think kids have a real understanding for love or what it really means and is. At the mentioned age of eleven or under, I would say that most kids would think love is the same thing as liking a person for their looks. I don't think it's a good idea for anyone to start dating before late middle school/early high school.

07-13-2011 at 3:00 AM

Thank you for your comments. :)

07-12-2011 at 9:00 PM

Two 11 year olds dating is fine by me, cute really. Like Fyre said it can build good relationship skills for the future. Now if an 11 year old is dating an 18 year old there is something wrong on both ends of the situation. I can't say that much though because I'm 19 and dating a 28 year old but that's a bit different.

07-12-2011 at 4:26 PM

Well, I had my first real crush on someone when I was about 10 or 11 myself, so I can speak from experience on this one. <br /> <br /> Being almost 17 now, I can definitely say there is a difference between being completely infatuated with someone's good looks vs. love.<br /> <br /> I have no problem with kids liking each other - in fact, I find it cute. It's innocent and it builds relationship skills for the future, whether they realize it or not. I think the fact that I was "dating" quite a few people when I was still a child taught me about what I like most in other people and what other people like most about me.<br /> <br /> In short, if it stays innocent and there's a mutual understanding that you're basically still just friends that "like" each other, I don't have a problem with it at all. :)<br />