The common idea of dating is two people trying out a relationship and exploring whether they are compatible by going out together in public as a couple and may or may not yet be having sexual relations.
Dating customs has since changed from what it used be. In the 21st century, you get to see children as young as twelve already dating.
Civilization has changed things so much that these days, some children have become so exposed to immorality in the society to the extent that some 12 or 13-year-old are already experimenting sex and they are now experts in abortion and use of contraceptives.
Dating is a crucial period in the life of young people, most especially teenagers and the excitement of being in love most of the time leads to unpleasant outcomes.
Teenagers are notorious for crushes, but knowing when to let your child officially enter the dating scene can be confusing.
With the level of decay in the society, most parents are scared of letting their teenagers hang out with the opposite sex, some parents even find it hard to trust their children.
Most Nigerian parents are not comfortable with their teenage children dating and are of the opinion that they should wait till they get into the University and are old enough to make the right decisions.
So the question is: at what age should your child start dating?
Below are replies from some of our readers:
According to Uju Miriam she will always teach her children the good, the bad and the ugly. For the females, she would advise them to hold on until they finish University. For the males, she would advise them to wait until they can take up some responsibilities.
She added that she would encourage them to bring whoever they are dating to the house so she as a mother can evaluate if they are hanging out with the right or wrong crowd.
Blessing Nwabugwu says she would let her girls have male friends and teach them what they need to know and then at 18, she’d let them start dating properly. For her boys, she’d recommend 23 when they have achieved something in life so that they don’t get distracted.
Emudiaga Jude said: “I think sex education should start before dating, that should be from 12 but dating should be 19+. Although sometimes at their discretion but they should be well oriented and guided.”
In Musa Junior’s opinion, dating depends on the maturity of the brain. He said: “Some may be 30, but are not matured to date; while some could be just 16/17, but are very matured when it comes to reasoning. I heard someone saying until they have finished their NYSC. Hmmm… To me, that’s not a good idea at all.”
Oshosanya Michael says all that matters is that the children are made to know the consequences of dating in addition to good sex education and moral upbringing, and with that the child will know when is the right time to date.
“If a child knows the consequences of early relationship, you don’t need to tell him or her when to start dating. Parents should endeavour to educate their children at a very tender age,” says Asemota Laura.
According to Adedoyin Marcus, parents can’t choose for children these days. All a parent can do is just to be a good parent to them and teach them sex education.
Chijioke Ogbu said: “No particular age for dating. It depends on the individual, environment, upbringing, peer groups, and the society at large. This age of ICT, dating could start in d womb. Where are your children and what are they doing now? (May be dating) May God rescue us.
With the kind of impact technology and media has these days, parents would be deceiving themselves to think their teenagers are innocent and naive.
Sure most parents would be shocked if they get to find out the kind of atrocities their teenage children are committing.
It is quite unfortunate that some parents treat their children’s future with such levity. While you are there condemning teenage dating, your children are out there experimenting and this experimenting could have dire consequences.
So the best thing would be for you as a parent to sit your child down at an early age and give him/her quality sex education. Don’t leave it to their teachers, friends and society to teach them.
You would be doing yourself and the society a whole lot of good when you give your children sound sex education and moral upbringing, that way, they would know the consequences of whatever action they take.
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