how young is too young?

What do you mean by "dating"?

Around here kids seem to start dating around that age, but "dating" mostly means admitting that they like each other, and maybe doing a bit of hand-holding. (My daughter is 10 but some of her friend's older siblings are dating, and that's what she reports. I trust her but the older siblings may be leaving some things out in their accounts to their younger siblings -- I don't know.)

I don't know what's too young, but I have to agree that 18 is way above any reasonable limit.

As soz says, it might depend on just what you mean by dating.

Wouldn't it be appropriate where you live, what cultural background you are, and what religious (if any) background you are, before commenting.

18 in western countries is considered to old. But I daresay within western countries there are groups of people who don't consider it too old.

What is a "date" for a 12 year old?

Seeing him? in a group situation? during the day?
that seems OK.

But they call that "hanging out" around here, not dating.

I would consider that 18 is a bit too long to wait to be allowed to date. At the same time, if by dating you mean going out to a movie (just the two of you, dropped off by parents) then I think your parents are correct and you are too young. Of course, if by dating you mean simply considering the two of you "boyfriend and girlfriend", then I guess you can do that without any parental say so.

Finally, no matter what your parents say, I am a firm believer in following their rules as long as you live under their roof. If they really won't let you date until you are 18, then I would suggest you abide by that. But then I am old school and believe that parents should be obeyed in all things (unless of course by obeying it puts you in danger.)

helo
I cant forget my golden lovly moment..
thanks
Author