It depends on you and depends on the type of relationship you’re talking about.

Are you ready for marriage and kids? Probably not. You’re fifteen- relax and have some fun but be safe. There’s a long time left for all the serious stuff.

It depends on how you define “relationship” and what your maturity level is.

Generally speaking, I would see no problem with a fifteen-year-old dating. Probably group dates at first (movies, and such).

As a parent, I’d want to meet the boy or girl first. If you’re not comfortable bringing him/her by the house, I’d be reluctant to let you go on a one-on-one date (coffee, lunch, etc.)

Now if you’re talking about a serious, exclusive relationship with one person – I’d say probably not.

okay, thanks for the help. right now i’m not looking for a serious relationship but i’m also not looking for one that doesn’t hold much. i try to learn from my mistakes so that later on in my life when i do get married i know what messed me up and what kept things going for a little while. i like to meet the girl’s parent’s and get to know the family and just have a fun time. group dates are my thing for sure, i don’t think i could do just one on one just yet

@rasshoal: Well, it sounds like you have your head on straight about this. If my kid explained it to me this way (and had a history of being reliable), I’d have no problem with it.

So who’s holding you up? Are your parents against the idea of dating all-together.

Kids in my grade school class started pairing up at twelve or so.

My son is 18 and his gf is 17… their 3-year anniversary will be just after New Years Day. It has not always been peachy between the two of them, but adolescence is a difficult time.

They have a pretty good relationship for their age, but they are the exception… most teen-aged romances don’t last, but a handful do. If you treat each other with respect and have a solid trust between you, than perhaps yours could be the exception. But heck, a good number of people in their 30s and 40s are not ready for serious relationships still (even many who are already in them).

Sure, why not get your feet wet (metaphorically speaking) especially within the parameters you describe.

Sure you can be in a platonic relationship. Wait a couple more years for the other stuff – but practise kissing in the meanwhile. Just kissing. You’ll thank me some day. ;-)

Emotional maturity develops differently in everyone. Are you able to maintain your own autonomy when in a relationship, or do you get completely wrapped up in this other person? Are you able to weather a breakup without taking a hit to your own self esteem? Are you able to stand up for yourself and walk away from that relationship if/when that is in your best interest, or are you more prone to stay in it even if it hurts? I think if you are capable of having a relationship, but still maintaining your school work, other activities, and staying in touch with your other friends, it can be a nice learning experience and can enhance your life. If not, it can mess you up a bit. What do your parents think? They likely know you better than anyone else, and have your own interests in mind when advising you on this more than anyone else on this planet will.

If you have to question it, then you’re too young.

I’d agree that you may be questioning it due to self doubt because you really are too young, but I also think it is possible you are questioning it because you pay a lot of attention to everyone’s feedback on this and want to be sure you consider all the pros and cons. Only you know which is the reason.

If you like the person then go for it. It doesnt have to be serious and it doesnt matter what other people think. Theres always going to be someone telling you its the wrong decision to make, the trick is to do what you feel is right. Personally, i dont think it is too young. Most of my friends were in relationships when they were much younger than that. Dont worry about it. Obviously you are by law too young to have a physical relationship (sex) with this person but if you like them, dont let other people stand in your way. Its your life!

No, as long as the person you date is around your age. When I was in high school my friend had a lot of boyfriends. They were all fine until she, at age 15, started dating a 20-year-old. Her family (and best friend!) was uncomfortable with it, for good reason. She ended up losing her virginity to him as a sophomore, which I think is too young, because he had already had so much experience.

I like @rangerr ‘s reply. Simply put, and probably correct.

the reason i ask is because a lot of people at my church say i’m too young, but there are some who know me really well and don’t have a problem with it. i personally don’t think i’m too young but then again i am very confused about everything right now (my parents are getting divorced) just needed a quick answer. :)

@rasshoal If your parents are going through a divorce, you probably want to make sure that you have several good friends to hang out with and confide in. Don’t worry about looking for a relationship unless there is someone that is special to you.

she is very special to me, we’ve been friends for a while now and a few days before i found out about the divorce she told me how she felt about me. i just needed some input before i decided whether to be in a relationship or not.

Then it might be a very nice time for you to be in a relationship amd get that support. Just don’t let it inhibit your emotional and intellectual growth in other important areas, too.

As others have said, it depends on many factors, including the type of relationship, your level of maturity, and so on. However, at 15 your primary job is still to finish up things such as school, and maturing physically, emotionally and intellectually, as well as to start thinking about what you want to do with your life.

Right now, one of the most important things you need to do is work on creating a feeling of stability in your life. Your parents’ divorce will affect your day-to-day life, but it will also bring out all sorts of emotions, too. Some will be related to valid feelings of betrayal and fear of change, while others may derive from a mistaken feeling of guilt for possibly contributing to the break up (you are not at fault).

Thus, good friends will be an important source of support right now, but undertaking a relationship during a time the rest of your life has been turned topsy-turvey is not wise. As Shakespeare said, “The course of true love never did run smooth,” and that is the truth. Emotional upsets are part and parcel of relationships, especially when you are in your teens, and that may simply be too much stress right now.

In any case, I discussed this with my daughter when she started high school. She concurred that hanging out in a group was the simplest and least disruptive thing to do when she was 14 and 15. She began very carefully to date at age 16 but didn’t settle down with “the one,” and she still hasn’t at 17. She does have many good and close friends, both male and female, but she intends to go to college and then medical school, and she wants to be able to focus on those goals right now.

Lysander:
Ay me! for aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth;
But either it was different in blood—

Hermia:
O cross! too high to be enthrall’d to low.

Lysander:
Or else misgraffèd in respect of years—

Hermia:
O spite! too old to be engag’d to young.

Lysander:
Or else it stood upon the choice of friends—

Hermia:
O hell! to choose love by another’s eyes.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 1, scene 1, 132–140