Dating..What age? What Does it Mean?

[Joan]

My son is 12. He is in 7th grade. He likes a girl, she likes him. He askes her to "go out". He asks me if he can take her to the movies. I say no. he is ok with that. He says they are "going out". I ask him what that means. He doesn't really know. I tell him no kissing, but you can hold her hand. Then I realize i have no idea what I am doing!! So, my question is...what is does it mean to "go out" with someone. AND when are you going to let your kids date?

[Cortney]

'going out' means that they're a couple, even if all they do is talk to each other and hold hands in the hall at school :) not even close to real dating

[magoo]

Yep... I remember going with a guy when I was in grade 7. All it meant was we smiled at each other in the hall when we passed (and then burned red with embarassement) and if we happened to take the same bus home, we sat next to each other. I think we only even held hands once. :lol:

I remember my dad always asking "So you're 'going together' -- where exactly are you going?" I didn't have the slightest clue. :lol:

[Karri]

Yep to what Cortney and Sarah posted.
IIRC, when I was in 8th grade, I was allowed to meet boys at the movie theatre or mall IF I was with a group of girls. I wasn't allowed to go out alone on a date until the summer between 9th and 10th grade. Now that I think about it, I never asked --I guess I was too shy to go out alone w/ a guy before then!!!

[Alyssa]

Oh yes, the fabulous era of "going out" with someone when you never actually went anywhere with them, just declared your "like" of them! Ah, the memories!

[sabrina]

Ditto the answers above. When will they be able to date? when the are 18.

[MelissaM]

I think that around here the definition of "go out" varies depending on age...at 11-12-13 it means what the others have posted. Simply hanging out, holding hands maybe once in a while...that sort of thing. Once they hit high school though it indicates a more steady and exclusive relationship - boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.

What age? Jennifer started dating when she was 15...now that she is 16 she has been in an exclusive relationship with a boy for about 6 months :) So she has a boyfriend - and a very sweet one at that.

[Lady E]

Ditto the answers above. When will they be able to date? when the are 18.
Just wondering - are you serious? :)

[sabrina]

Actually yes I am. Dh and I have discussed it and we feel that this is what is best for our family. People date to hopefully find a mate. I personally don't feel that my children should be looking for mates at the age of 16 or 17. Now if they want to have someone over for game night or movie night or something to that effect that is fine and I won't prohibit it.

[Cortney]

Our children won't be allowed to date until they are 16.

[Joan]

We have discussed it and to go on a date, meaning taking a girl out, paying her way and driving, all require 1) money and 2) driver's license. So, probably between 16-18. If he wants to meet at the shopping center, or meet at the movies...I have a feeling it will be sooner!

[MamaGoofy]

I would say 16-18 however, having girlfriend/boyfriend. We haven't really discussed this.
In 7th grade I went out with a guy. We hung out at the skating ring and we would skate to the couples only. We would hug goodbye and one time he kissed my cheek. The summer between 7th and 8th grade I got a "real" boyfriend and that was when I was introduced to french kissing. :love2: He was my first real boyfriend and I loved him!! I was going to marry him. Of course at that point mom sat me down and talked to me very honestly about sex. I told her that I didn't want any of that. I just like kissing. I was only 13 and I was going to wait until my wedding night to "go all the way". I wasn't that type of girl.