I would say 14 is the best age. 14 and in 9th grade. I've never dated and I'm 21, but I still think that 14 is when kids should start dating.

You're probably about right. It probably depends on what you consider dating, though. Like, if three girls go out with three guys, would that be dating? What if there's one person in the group not with a date? What if there's a boy and a girl in a group not dating, and they have no intention of dating each other? To go alone on a date, though - 14 would probably be about the right age.

A lot of kids have crushes, which parents will often entertain. Ironically enough, that tends to come before the age that the kid hates other kids of the opposite gender.

Kinky, bttf44! I had no idea! :P

Whew! I guess I should explained that a bit clearer. I meant a group date - or even a "triple date", if you will.

A lot of times, teens might hang out together - and there will be boys and girls both involved - and some of them mighjt be paired up.

Okay, let's consider this. A couple decides to each bring a same-sex friend to dinner. If two members of the group of four were dating, but the other two weren't - and, in fact, they didn't even know each other before - would that still count as a date?

If you're still confused, I don't blame you. I'm having a hard time explaining what I want to say.

LOL! I know! Just being silly! :P

Perhaps they feel they've been set up on a blind date. Or maybe they know that they're just friends. I suppose it depends on the circumstances. Like the Full House where Stephanie goes out with that baseball kid and DJ convinces her it's a date! Butt out, eh? Que sera sera.

But yeah, don't ask me about socializing protocol, I've no idea!