When you flip open any random teen magazine, you are sure to find uncountable articles, tips, and quizzes about dating and love. They may be tips on how to flirt, quizzes about finding 'the right one' and articles about having a crush. Although girls started 'going steady' with guys in high school in the old days, their main motive was to marry and start a family. However, social norms have changed since then and dating no longer translates into securing a husband, yet the fact that most people date during their teenage years cannot be changed.
There are numerous reasons why teens date, but one of the most obvious reasons is because you like the person in a 'more than friends' way. We are biologically programmed to be curious about the opposite sex when we hit our teenage years and this cannot be stopped since this is how we were created. Therefore, it is safe to say that one of the reasons why teenagers date is due to the onset of growth hormones and other biological mechanism. Also, the human is a more social species when compared to, say, lions. We are afraid of loneliness and cannot survive on our own. This is why communities are formed in the first place. Humans crave for the presence of other fellow beings - to fend off wild animals in the old days and to share your life with in modern times. A partner can provide good company and security - both physically and mentally - and intimacy. A partner can be trusted in a way friends can't be since the level of devotion, trust and faith placed in the person is different. Teenagers who have a girlfriend/boyfriend will have someone to trust and lean on.
In addition, having a partner may increase your 'cool' factor at school. Although this is a wrong dating mentality, teens may gain popularity and recognition from peers due to having a girlfriend/boyfriend. Teens may also cave under the peer pressure of having a girlfriend/boyfriend in order to fit in with the rest of the crowd. Either way, this is falling in love for all the wrong reasons and may bring considerable damage to both parties.
One of the main concerns about teenage dating is the question of maturity. At what age should a teen date? Can a really mature child date at eight? In my opinion, the age limit varies according to the teen and how he/she behaves. I believe that if the teen shows responsibility and self-control, it is fine for him/her to date. On the contrary, if a teen has no self-discipline and low self-protection skills, he/she should not be allowed to date since the teen may not be able to handle both the physical and mental consequences of being in a relationship.
The age-old behavior of humans cannot be changed overnight and it is hard to avoid falling in love at a certain point in our teenage years. Parents may object to the notion of their child having a relationship, yet the parents themselves were once young. I'm sure that my mom and dad did have dates when they were teenagers. However, the most important thing is to be mature, date in a responsible way, and not cave into peer pressure.
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