First boyfriend/girlfriend

[disneylovin24]

At what age did most of you get your first boyfriend or girlfriend?

At what age do you think is a good age to?

And at what age do you think its odd not to have had one by?

 

[NHdisneylover]

I was 16, getting close to 17.

I don't think there is an "age" necessarily. Everyone matures differently in different areas--and what is right for one kid/family is not right for another.

As a parent, I DO hope that both of my kids end up in at least one relationship while they are still in high school and living at home. Those first couple of relationships can be such a roller coaster ride of emotions and somehow i think it would be better of it happened while we are here at home to help cushion the fall, etc. That said, I won't push, and if someone is just not there yet, they just aren't (I say that as a mom of a 14 year old and a 16 year old and neither even appears interested yet ).

 

[skatalite]

If we're talking "serious" girlfriends, then I was 14 and in 8th grade. We were together for a year.

I didn't have another serious relationship with a girl until I was a senior in high school. Before I met her, I didn't want commitment, so I hung out with girls who didn't want it, either.

I think age 13-15 is a good age for a first love. Of course it's a tender age, one prone to peer pressure and stupidity. But, alas, we learn from everything we do.

As for what age I think it's odd... I guess 19? That would put the average person as a sophomore in college, so they'd have experiences of school dances, proms, and an entire year of college. But everyone is different, so it is what it is.

 

[njmom47]

At what age did most of you get your first boyfriend or girlfriend?

At what age do you think is a good age to?

And at what age do you think its odd not to have had one by?

I had my first serious long-term relationship in HS. We started dating when I was 14, broke up for a year and a half, and then got back together when I was 16 and dated till I was 21.

I agree with a PP that it's probably good while they are living at home; it's easier to keep an eye on things and be there if they want advice.

Hm, probably by your early 20s.

(DS, 17, is on his 2nd serious gf. The first relationship lasted about 9 months, this gf is probably about the same. DDs have both had a couple of serious bfs, and they are age 20 and 21. I guess that's about average.)

 

[NFLDERS]

I was 16, DH was 17
He was my High School Sweetheart, We will celebrate 43 yrs married in February.

We celebrated our 40th on the Celebrity Solstice, Our first cruise.

What age is good? I guess it all depends on Maturity, especially today.

 

[JVL1018]

I was 13. Nothing serious. I used to go watch his Babe Ruth LL games. LOL

We went out for a couple of months, it was no big deal.

I think a good age is 13.5-15.
ETA: for one of those puppy love, more like really good friends, no drama boyfriend/girlfriend scenarios.

Never having one by 18,19 would be..I don't want to say odd or strange because that sounds mean..maybe not the norm is all.

 

[disneylovin24]

I was 13. Nothing serious. I used to go watch his Babe Ruth LL games. LOL

We went out for a couple of months, it was no big deal.

I think a good age is 13.5-15.

Never having one by 18,19 would be..I don't want to say odd or strange because that sounds mean..maybe not the norm s all.

What makes you say this? I'm just curious. Do you think it says something about someone if they don't have one by that age?

 

[aaarcher86]

I was 14 in 8th grade. I think freshman year probably would have been a better age to explore it but serious relationships in high school are a waste IMO.

 

[JVL1018]

What makes you say this? I'm just curious. Do you think it says something about someone if they don't have one by that age?

I said it because the question was asked what age do you think would be odd not to have a girlfriend/boyfriend...

And the vast majority of people I knew had had at least one boyfriend/girlfriend by the time they were a sophomore in college, so if you haven't dated by then, while I don't think it's odd, I think it's out of the norm from what I've seen.

 

[ashmarie06]

I met my first love when I was nine. Became a couple at 13, and broke up at 20. Even after breaking up, we still continued to act like a couple until I was 22, then I got into a new relationship.

 

[NHdisneylover]

What makes you say this? I'm just curious. Do you think it says something about someone if they don't have one by that age?

Since you asked, I will agree with the PP that it starts to feel "odd" if someone has never had a boyfriend/girlfriend by 19 or 20-- sophomore year in college being a pretty good benchmark.

Not that there is anything wrong with the person, just that it is very uncommon.

I DO think it might get harder to start dating after that if you have truly no experience in that realm. IMO, there tends to be a learning curve in how to handle relationships and most people by their earl 20s have moved past those early stages and know better how to handle things, what to do, etc--many may not be interested in trying to date someone who is totally new at it and perhaps not "up to speed" on how to handle the ins and outs of dating.

(sorry, I know you are 19, from another post you made today, and I suspect you ask because you have never been in a relationship. It doesn't mean there is anything "wrong" with you -- but I really do think it could make it harder to meet someone in the first place after another year or two go by. I might well be wrong though).

 

[LJSquishy]

My first real relationship was when I was around 14 or 15. (My sister was old enough to drive) We were together for probably 6 months, maybe but remained friends (even became best friends) after we stopped dating. He was my best friend up until I was 18 or 19.

At age 16 I had my first serious relationship...lasted for a year and a half I think. He was a year older and moved away to college and pushed for me to follow him there but ultimately I decided not to and went my own way.

I think between ages 14-17 is the most common age for a "real" relationship but it all depends on the maturity level of the kids. At 13 I "liked" boys but not enough to worry about getting a boyfriend. It is also difficult to consider it a real relationship if neither of them can drive on their own. LOL

Some people don't find anyone until their college years, and that is fine also. A lot depends on the size of your high school (or if you're homeschooled I'm sure it's nearly impossible to find someone to date), the type of people there, etc. I never dated anyone at my same school...they were always from different schools. When I went away to college (at 17, almost 18) I met my now husband at a New Year's Eve party. He went to a different school but was home on winter break. I was only 18 and he was 22, almost 23. We dated for 4 years before getting married and have been married for 7 years now. He's perfect and I feel very lucky our paths crossed. It was instant attraction and we were inseparable ever since that party.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

At what age did most of you get your first boyfriend or girlfriend?

At what age do you think is a good age to?

And at what age do you think its odd not to have had one by?

I was fourteen when I had my first real boyfriend and a freshman in high school. He was a junior. My parents weren't too thrilled about it but they allowed it. Looking back on it now, I believe I was too young for that sort of responsibility. I should have been older, maybe sixteen?

I don't think, as a PP has said, that there's really an 'age.' I know people who didn't have a boyfriend until they were in college.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

I had my first boyfriend at 15 which I think is a pretty reasonable age.

Weird to have never had a boyfriend/girlfriend by? Mid to late-20s, I think. Just because people don't have a steady bf/gf doesn't mean they don't have experience with the opposite sex. Maybe they just didn't want a relationship in high school or college. Or just haven't found the right person. I think it's probably better to have had no boyfriend or girlfriend until mid-20s than to have had like 10 or 15.

 

[indimom]

Late bloomer here, I guess.
First "real" boyfriend at 18 (freshman in college).
I dated a couple guys before that and "went with" my DH when we were in junior high, but I've never really considered those boyfriends.

I'm not sure there is a "good age" for a first relationship, but I wouldn't want my kids to have a serious boyfriend or girlfriend before high school, sophomore/junior/senior sounds about right.

I'd consider it a bit unusual (but not unheard of) to have never had a serious boy/girl friend by 25. I know at least one person who didn't have a boyfriend until their late 20s and they are happily married now. Just didn't meet anyone they were interested in dating more than a couple times before that.

 

[KennesawNemo]

My husband is my one and only boyfriend. I am his one and only girlfriend. We started at the old age of 22/23, but we've been happily married for 10 years now.

 

[PatsGirl]

Me- boyfriend, 15 years old; relationship17-19, wish it had never happened.

Good - boyfriend or girlfriend 15/16; relationships at 16/17: DS "liked a girl here and there at 14 and 15, had a girlfriend at 16, and then was in a relationship at 17-18 with the WRONG girl...so happy he went into the USAF and realized just how close he came to wasting many years. DD16 hasn't shown any interest in a boyfriend, dating, relationship but I do assume it's gonna happen sooner rather than later

Odd - boyfriend or girlfriend 18/19; relationship 24/25

 

[JVL1018]

Late bloomer here, I guess.
First "real" boyfriend at 18 (freshman in college).
I dated a couple guys before that and "went with" my DH when we were in junior high, but I've never really considered those boyfriends.

I'm not sure there is a "good age" for a first relationship, but I wouldn't want my kids to have a serious boyfriend or girlfriend before high school, sophomore/junior/senior sounds about right.

I'd consider it a bit unusual (but not unheard of) to have never had a serious boy/girl friend by 25. I know at least one person who didn't have a boyfriend until their late 20s and they are happily married now. Just didn't meet anyone they were interested in dating more than a couple times before that.

Good point..I was thinking of the question as no dating at all, not really no relationship. My fault.

 

[married2mm]

I was 13 when I had my first boyfriend.
I was totally in love!

I dated other guys,3 seriously before meeting my dh.
He did not have any dates until his 20's,I don't think that's strange,everyone is different.

My own children have all had different experiences.
Dd at 12,dated continuously throughout high school,1 serious bf,and been single ever since.she's 25.
Dd no bf-shes 20.
Ds-first gf in kindergarten! Nothing since,he's 16.


I really don't think there's a right or wrong age.
I agree with pp who said,rather too few,than too many!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Me- boyfriend, 15 years old; relationship17-19, wish it had never happened.

Good - boyfriend or girlfriend 15/16; relationships at 16/17: DS "liked a girl here and there at 14 and 15, had a girlfriend at 16, and then was in a relationship at 17-18 with the WRONG girl...so happy he went into the USAF and realized just how close he came to wasting many years. DD16 hasn't shown any interest in a boyfriend, dating, relationship but I do assume it's gonna happen sooner rather than later

Odd - boyfriend or girlfriend 18/19; relationship 24/25

I am curios as to what you are thinking is teh difference between having a boyfriend/girlfriend and being in a relationship. To me, if you date someone more than one or twice, and call them your boyfriend/girlfriend that IS a relationship.