This is a statistic that may strike fear in any parent’s heart, so brace yourself. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that on average, girls begin dating as early as 12 and a half years old, and boys a year older. Yikes!
The good news? It may not be the kind of “dating” you’re picturing.
Defining Dating
You may be surprised to hear dating labels like “boyfriend,” “girlfriend,” and “together” from the lips of your sixth-grader. At this age, it probably means your son or daughter is sitting next to a special someone at lunch or hanging out at recess.
Groups play a big role in relaying information about who likes whom. Even if your son is mooning over a certain girl, most 12-year-olds aren’t really ready for the one-on-one interaction of a true relationship.
For eighth-graders, dating likely means lots of time spent talking on the phone and hanging out in groups. Some kids may have progressed to hand holding as well. In high school, strong romantic attachments can be formed and things can get serious, fast.