Why do parents always encourage their teenage sons or daughters to date? Why can't they leave them alone?

Answer 1

Because it gives them the opportunity to have a little quiet time on their own.....
get it?

Answer 2

from the sound of this question, I am guessing that you are unattractive. I am not saying this to be mean. But parents have the tendancy to encourage their kids who arent as nice looking while they try to clamp down on kids who are smoking hott. The reasoning is, the hot kid can snatch somebody up anytime. The not so hot kid will need more time to find that person and dont want the kid living at home till they are 22 or older because they cant find a mate. Dont shoot the messenger now, I am not trying to be mean, but take a look around and see that pretty girls are always complaining about how thier parents give them a hard time about seeing guys.

Answer 3

All parents want what is best for their children, regardless of how well or poorly they show it. It has a lot to do with encouraging the teenager to be socially active and to have friends.

If you are not ready/comfortable with the idea of dating, then tell your parents so. Just say that nobody interests you in that way yet, you'll date when you are ready and it doesn't help that they put added pressure on you.

Answer 4

Funny...my family has never actively encouraged me to date anybody, indeed in high school they kept telling me I wasn't ready or anything like that. They felt that it was too much of a distraction from my academics (they take education very seriously, something that I'm thankful for 98 percent of the time) I'm 24 and still have very little formal dating experience.

Maybe some parents encourage dating in order to discourage "hooking up," which they feel is sexually unwise. "Just find a nice partner and settle down" is one way to avoid too many casual adventures.

Answer 5

That is an excellent question. I believe (at least, in my situation) my mother was concerned that I was a lesbian. She not only made me date, she extensively interviewed boys all the time and chose people who were willing to do her bidding. She was more concerned about what her family and friends think more than what I actually wanted which was to be left alone. In the long run, it backfired. I'm not a lesbian, but I don't share any details about my life with her so she's lost a daughter in her quest to impress her friends.

Edited to add: I disagree with the attractiveness factor. I was a model as a child/teen. I just wasn't interested in my life centering around dating.

Answer 6

Dating is a personal choice! Kids should only date when they know they are ready! I don't know, maybe some parents think it's cute or they just want them out of the house more, or they don't want their kid to grow up and be shy around people!? My parents wouldn't let me date till I was 18!! Now, that's NOT COOL!! But every person should decide when they want to date....but that's just me! :)

Answer 7

some parents don't encourage their teens to date but to make friends and learn to be social with teens of the opposite sex because like in our family there are only girls and they need experience communicating with boys and the opposite is true too

Answer 8

My parents do NOT do that. They encourage my older brother and I NOT to date!

Answer 9

Because dating is normal and every parent wants a normal adolescents for their child. It is a part of development.

Answer 10

Dating is normal

Answer 11

My parents never did,until now I'm 23 and when I have guy friends my mom is now like so ummm when are you going to get married, drives me crazy!!