My mom and dad are really over protective. I can’t date until I’m 16. What should I do?

couple on a shopping tripMy mom and dad are really over protective and they say that I won’t be able to date until I’m 16. I wish that they wouldn’t be so over protective and let me have some freedom. What should I do?

It’s not unusual for parents to have rules about dating. With that being said, it’s likely that your parents have formed an opinion based on their values, beliefs, and their own experiences, as well as their desire to keep you safe. You might want to start by having a conversation about their concerns and why they feel that 16 is the “right” age to date. Listen to what they have to say so you can understand where they’re coming from. If you want more freedom, you’ll need to show them that you’re responsible by obeying the curfews they set, keeping in touch when you’re out with friends, and making good choices.


Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.