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07776 - A Parent's Guide to Teens: The Growing Season Book To Order
07607 - A Parent's Guide to Teens: The Growing Season Video (on VHS) and Guide To Order

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Hot Topics Q & A

"My daughter has been putting a lot of pressure on me to let her date."

The image many parents hold about teen dating is lighthearted, happy, and playful-"puppy love." This is indeed what teen dating should be. For teens, however, there is often an intensity of feeling and sometimes commitment by at least one partner. Teens physically mature long before they have a complete understanding of the emotions involved in an intimate relationship.

• Teens should keep their early dating simple.
• Strongly support or insist that your teen be in group dates until age 16 to 18 years.
• Make sure you meet your teen's date.
• Even better, get to know the parents of the teen your son or daughter wants to date.
• Decide if your teen is allowed to date someone who is older-keep in mind that young teens, and even some older teens, are often unable to understand how an older teen or young adult can manipulate them.

When are teens ready to date?
Families must answer this question based on their values.

A survey of parents said:

Age of Teen/ % of Parents
13 years/26%
15 years/47%
18 years/17%
18+ years/10%

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