Dating as young as 13 is not unusual anymore. The dating age is getting younger and younger, which means heartbreak is happening at an earlier age for most teens. Growing up, I knew many girls who didn't date at all in high school. Yes, they had your typical girl crushes on only the hottest guys at school, but they never went on a date. It wasn't that they didn't have the looks or personality to be in a relationship. It wasn't that they were socially awkward to the point of no return. It is that these girls (as I've learned later in life) had standards so high that they couldn't even bare to think about lowering them.
These were the girls that didn't sleep around, that thought hooking up "just for fun" was repulsive, and wanted much more for themselves. They were the ones that never wore the scandalous clothing, and always had perfect manners. These are the girls that every guys mom wishes her son ends up with.
I was close to a few girls who were like this, and they would talk to me about how being this type of person made them feel. Yes, they got upset and wondered what was so wrong with them that no guy they crushed on liked them back. Yes, they worried about being forever alone. The crazy thing is, though, every girl that I knew personally who was like that ended up meeting their forever guy in college. Never dated anyone else, never had to even try to look for a guy. He always came right to them and was absolutely perfect.
Society is telling teens it's normal to grow up at such a young age when it shouldn't be. The only thing teens are going to get out of dating at younger ages is misery, because who doesn't change from freshman to senior year? I mean, come on. Learn to love yourself, learn the things you love to do, and then set your standards for what kind of guy you want. I promise there is someone out there in the billions of people who are in this world who will fit your description.
Sometimes, waiting until you are graduated and more mature can be the perfect timing to start dating. I know it sure saved these girls major heartbreak, and even though the wait was long, I know all of them would agree it is worth it. Don't be afraid to have high standards, and don't be scared of waiting for the right one before settling. Be the girl who waits until college to date.
