What age/grade do you consider dating to be serious

[billy1646]

I think everyone has heard of kids "dating" in 5th or 6th grade but don't talk to each other and break up after a week, but what age do you think its more of a "real" thing?

[Jordan99]

My BF and I started dating each other exclusively when he was 17 and I was 15. We didn't have sex though until I was 16. He's 21 and I'm 19 now and we're still going strong. I think 5th and 6th graders just call each other boyfriend and girlfriend because they're curious about each other and like each other.

[jamie_n5]

I would say after you are 16 is when dating becomes more serious. I can't believe how serious some of these 13 & 14 year olds seem to be about relationships.

[Katie2003]

I had a very serious relationship last summer when I was 14, she was 19, and it lasted several months. I think it depends mostly on the maturity level of the two people who are dating, and also how compatible they actually turn out to be once they start spending lots of time together. For sure most 15 and 16 year olds should be able to maintain relationships that last more than a few weeks.

[Ragle]

16 and above

[Barbara.]

I believe at the age of maturity at what ever that age maybe that a couple can handle and maintain a good relationship.

[PlasmaHam]

16 and above. From personal observation most dating under 16 is either due to curiosity or societal pressure to have a bf/gf. I have seen very few relationships from kids under 16 that have actually lasted any considerable time, or gotten more serious than just puppy love antics. Of course it depends on the person, but that is my generalized opinion.


I do think it's kinda a shame that even toddlers are getting in on the gf/bf thing. I think in our society dating has lost a lot of its value, and is treated moreso as dating for dating sake, rather than dating for true love.

[Max the Disenchanter]

a broken heart understands true love.

[Croconaw]

It’s more of a matter of maturity than age. I believe you should be over sixteen years old.

[Silicate Wielder]

I'd say dating starts to get serious in the 8th grade

[Uniquemind]

I have a very unique perspective on this because it doesn't attempt to generalize as a rule, and seeks rather to look at each individual's emotional maturity and understanding and place in society in a three-fold analysis since those are all elements a person must have to then couple with another person with those same traits to form a equal healthy relationship.


I think relationships usually don't start when you are super young although you might have crushes, but at that age your still figuring out who you are and what everything all means, and for a minority few some people are just more confident about who they are even at super young ages, they just don't have an identity crisis or aren't prone to the anxiety portion of development.


Because every one is different, relationships can falter for many reasons when we are young, and exploring relationships with many people (sexual or even just emotional) is to be somewhat expected, compounded by the complex social messages our (religion, society's advertisement culture, peer pressure, and hormonal surges) just makes it even more complicated. Cheating therefore results as you are told to be monogamous but can keep wanting to explore other options and yet avoid blame-labeling and diseases.


I think some of the damage about what we all think about relationships is undoing what media tells us they are like and also perhaps another source of damage comes form dysfunctional household relationships we witness from those like our parents.


Some people figure this balancing act out around the mid-teens, and others only figure it out well into adulthood I think, just based on looking at the adult divorce rate being in the 40-60% range fluxuating year after year....I rest my case.

[lliam]

It just depends how mature two people are when they bond for a relationship.

[Harrier]

It depends. Depends on maturity level, culture of the school, etc. Most grade school dating is like you said. I've never seen one serious, but I'm sure in the history of the ENTIRE world some grade school dating has been serious. Middle school it remains mostly just fake dating and/or hookups. High school is where I see it changing. I think it's sad if you are "fake dating" in HS. It should be real at that point imo, and it usually is.

[InternetTeen]

When you are 16 and above. Relationships below that age last like 1 week.

[Harrier]

When you are 16 and above. Relationships below that age last like 1 week.

One week? Are you sure? That's a pretty big generalization don't you think?

[Uniquemind]

In my 4th-5th grade mixed grade class, there was a couple that lasted all year and a half, and I wouldn’t necessarily cheapen the meaning of their relationship just because they were young. I had moved on to junior high and visited past school on a half day to see old friends and teachers and found out they had broken up later.

I vaguely remember the whole class kinda rooting for them actually but also giving them space to makeout when they’d retreat to a corner of the playground while everyone else played tag or kickball or four square.

[Birds18]

I can't have a girlfriend till I'm 15

[Birds18]

I'm not allowed to have a girlfriend until I turned 15.
But I don't think you can have anything serious at my age anyways

[Uniquemind]

I'm not allowed to have a girlfriend until I turned 15.
But I don't think you can have anything serious at my age anyways

I disagree I think it’s possible for some, but parents being a factor...that hinders opportunities and other households are different and the parents are more hands-off approach such as a few of my friends.

[Birds18]

Yeah my parents watch me pretty close. I'm probably not supposed to be on VT.

[Zachary G]

Maturity has a lot to do with it, but I think it becomes serious for most teens around 16/17.

[Josh900218]

16 at least

[Birds18]

I'm shocked at how many people are having sex before the age of 14.
My parents won't even let me be around girls without supervision

[Uniquemind]

I'm shocked at how many people are having sex before the age of 14.
My parents won't even let me be around girls without supervision


Understand that VT is just a small concentrated sample of the general teen population worldwide though. So just keep that in mind, and try not to feel peer pressure about your own sexual history of lack thereof; it'll happen when it happens. Although I admit parents can be obstacles in opportunities and other teens don't really have this issue depending on varying household rules.

[Coping]

Yeah my parents watch me pretty close. I'm probably not supposed to be on VT.

That seems pretty controlling to me. You're only 13, sure, but there are a lot worse places to be online than VT! :cool:

[Birds18]

I guess I'll find out at the end of the month when my search history is checked.

[cinderfella]

Maybe at least 16. I don't know most of my relationships mostly coz I'm gay in a not so gay friendly environment has always been about sex.

[Semi_IronMan]

Very hard to say. I mean at 16 years you’re still kinda a baby, at 18/19 you’re just starting to figure it out, during your 20s you’re still “dipping it and doing it”(partying and having fun) so maybe your 30s lol? Honestly when it feels right and it feels like that person is forever then you know!

[emily_1109]

My boyfriend and I have been dating for two months and I’d say it’s somewhat serious. I’m 15, almost 16. It’s probably right around the normal age

[alexwilson]

who like it?

[littlemary]

I just started dating and it is my first crush :)

[Claire Asteroid]

I just started dating and it is my first crush :)

Is this the boy who kissed you on your birthday? It's such a lovely time with a new boyfriend, it makes you feel special!

[littlemary]

Is this the boy who kissed you on your birthday? It's such a lovely time with a new boyfriend, it makes you feel special!

Yes, same boy :) he told iam very sweet and beautiful and he likes me.

[Claire Asteroid]

Yes, same boy :) he told iam very sweet and beautiful and he likes me.

It's really lovely that you're thinking of him all the time and he thinks so highly of you too. You are lucky!

[littlemary]

It's really lovely that you're thinking of him all the time and he thinks so highly of you too. You are lucky!

yes i feel like iam in heaven :)

[Sailor Mars]

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