Should you let your teenager single date?
As your child gets older and starts dating, you are going to have to make some choices, such as curfew, what they can wear on a date, if they can single date or only group date. Teenagers should be allowed to make choices, but it is also important that you help them to make smart choices by enforcing certain rules. So, should you let your teenager single date? That depends on you, and that depends on your child:
Ask yourself the following questions:
Is your child trustworthy?
Is your child's significant other trustworthy?
If your child is honest with you, and a good kid, and the person they date is also honest and a good kid, then an occasional single date is not going to be a problem. In fact, allowing your child to single date on occasion will keep them from sneaking around on you. But, if you have a rebellious child, or they are dating a "bad boy" or "wild child" then it might be better to enforce group dates.
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Ask yourself the following questions:
Is your child sexually active?
Is your child's significant other sexually active?
Single dating can give your child more opportunities for getting in intimate positions. So, if your child is, or has been, sexually active, or even if they are pushing the limits further than you want, or their significant other does, then you will want to enforce group dating. However, if they can handle being alone without succumbing to the temptations of sexual intimacy when they are not old enough, or mature enough, then an occasional single date is fine.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Does your child have high self-esteem?
Does your child know their self worth?
Single dating can often lead to situations where your child is pressured into things they do not necessarily want to do. Even if you bring them up right, if your child does not think about the long term, or has low self-esteem, they are more likely to give in to peer pressure. If their significant other tries to convince them to do something they do not want to do, and makes them feel like they have to in order for them to love them, they will likely do it. If they have high self esteem they will not give in to these games. Single dating is fine if your child is confident, knows their value, and will stick to their values. However, if they are wishy washy, and do not follow their own heart, but rather like and do whatever their friends like and do, then group dating is probably a safer, healthier option.
Let's be honest, an occasional single date is probably not a big deal. However, the more your teenager single dates the same person, the higher the chances are they will get into trouble. Whether or not you let your child single date is up to you and your standards. However, if you do decide to let your teenager single date, it is important to talk to them about sex, safe sex, consequences of sex, etc. It is also important to talk to them about safety in dating. Teach your child to know when to say No, and what to do if their date does not listen. Teach them how look out for problems, and how to be a responsible dater.
