For parents, teen dating can be perplexing. Your youngster may not even wait until they reach adolescence before asking you if they may "go out" with someone. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children begin dating at the age of twelve and a half for females and thirteen and a half for boys. In addition, children should be taught that it is okay to say no. The younger a child is when asked by their parent if they may go out with someone, the more likely it is that the child will say yes. Young people who date often do so because they want to have fun and make new friends. They may also believe that dating early means that they will be expected to marry later! It is important for children to understand that dating is a normal part of growing up. Parents should discuss issues such as pregnancy/STD's prevention, grooming, and social expectations before allowing their children to date. If your child wants to date but is too young, consider talking with them about their interests and hobbies to find something that they might like to do together. Reading articles on the topic or showing them pictures of other teens dating can help give them ideas for dates past their age limit. Teens who date young know that they are taking a risk but think that the reward is worth it. If children get invited out frequently, maybe they aren't old enough to date yet!