My response is qualified on really trying to consider the individual and development, yet I have to say I have never known a person of 11-13 years of age prepared to manage any one-on-one dating situation (at least in western culture).

Hopefully, if a child has an aware parent, they will know and guide best, but generally, age 11 is pre-pubescent or pubescent in terms of stage of physical, mental, and emotional development. What this means in real life terms (despite the 11 year old's urges to establish identity apart from the parent(s), is that the child is pushing toward growing up, yet lacks the physiological capability of developed judgment/critical thinking about their own situation as yet. It's not their fault--only a matter of time and natural development. Combined with hormones of adolescence (yeah, I know, been there done that), this is not a good situation in which the young person finds her/himself. The urge to push toward independence and the ability to make good judgment about the potential for emotional damage are at odds, accompanied by raging hormonal development--inviting a problem. No way, no way, is 11-13 generally a good time to be advocating adult-type interaction in terms of encouraging establishing emotional (and possibly a physical) relationship. Given the development stage, most people of that age can manage exploration of relationship with the opposite sex in a group setting much better than "dating". Nature just doesn't equip us with the capacity for intimate relationship management with the opposite sex at that age.

As a parent of three grown children, and having been 11 myself, I would say this is asking for damage to both the child and with whomever she/he is encouraged to develop intimacy. While I would tend to look at the child's development individually, I have never met an 11 year old who was prepared to date and establish/handle an intimate relationship with someone of the opposite sex in a romantic sense. This is a time of exploration, and children trying to grow into adults should be givn the space to explore that safely--maybe more apt for group types of activities and time together. It seems to me our European cousins are far wiser and more responsible to their children in their encouragement of this kind of atmosphere for their youth.

At any rate, maybe high school age is a better time to evaluate that potential. Never, ever 11-13. What a disservice that is to the person who is 11-13 years of age...

 I think that age 11 is way too young for kids to start dating. Kids "grow up" too fast as it is, but the maturity to have a relationship with the opposite gender is questionable.

I am curious to know if parents think that children that age are responsible enough to handle school , homework and relationships.

We no longer live in an era when 16 year old girls are considered old maids. Kids want to go to college and have careers. They get married when they are older than they did in the past. What's the rush to start dating before some of those kids even reach puberty?

 I guess I'll go on this side to disagree with your statement. I personally think that people should date in high school, when they are able to handle academics and extracurricular activites well. You have so much time in your life to actually find someone, that you don't start looking in middle school.

 I think that 11-13 of age is just too young.I am sure the parents of these kids will kill them alive. I personally think that there are practically no age group restriction when people should start dating. Once they have found their 'THE ONE' they will then only start dating. Dun you all think so??

 In Gods eyes, dating is the search to try and find your true love. Once you start dating, you never stop.

 I think dating should start around the age of 15 or 16. 11-13 is too young.

 But for the completely unnatural social situation in middle school, kids that age wouldn't even think about it.

 At 11-13, the relationship probably isn't "real" and doesn't really express love. In my opinion, I think those dating at 11-13 just want attention because they think other people will think it's "cute." A better age to date would be around 15-16

 In my opinion, you must be at least 16 to start dating.

 Oh... 11-13?? Too young for dating..

 Not a chance.. More like 15 or 16 if their lucky.

 I think that 16 is the right age to begin real dating. I do not think younger children are mature enough, or able to make good decisions about themselves and the opposite sex.

 If you start dating in middle school, that isn't really a good choice because you have to concentrate on your school work and make sure you can graduate and go to high school. You don't want to get an F on your report card for dating this cute boy or pretty girl. It's just not really worth it, if you know what I mean.

 I think that it really depends on the maturity level of the person. I am seventeen and I started dating when I was fifteen, which I think is appropriate.

 I think High-school, and around age 14 is a good age to start "mild" dating. Definitely against the middle-school dating scene. My daughter is 13 and in 8th grade, and has done a great with putting it off until High-school. She has friends and a cousin who are dating already, and agrees that they are not mature enough to handle it. She has seen first hand some of the bad situations that kids that age get themselves in to.

 11-13 is too young for a boy and girl to be together alone. I would consider a group date for my daughter at 13-14 years old.

 For some reason, 16 is the age I feel it is okay to date.

 I think 16 is a proper age to start dating, and only under certain conditions.

 16 is a good age to start dating.

 No cuz y'all don't know much about live a at such a young age and just be young now cuz u are young 4ever duh!

 Well, I'm 16 and I started dating at 15. I wanted to date when I was around that age because I was sure that i could handle it, but as I come to realize is that it was just my hormones and nothing else. I talked with guys on the phone from age 10-14 and I really got to know what guys where like o opinions and things like that. I'm really glad I waited though because now I have a very healthy relationship with a wonderful loving guy!!!!

 No kids should start at the age of 15-16. So they can learn how it feels to b hurt. So if they started a the age of 11 and some1 dumps other that 11 year old will have 2 go through crying and being dumped but if u r 15 or 16 u can get over it and move on

 I'd say 16-17 yrs is the ideal age to handle a relationship as they will attain a certain maturity at this age with which they can ascertain what sort of person they want to date.

 Dating in grades lower than 9th (before high school) is not really dating, in my opinion. High school, going to dances and such is the time to begin dating.

I guess I would agree with the general consensus in that 16 would be a good age, when you can take someone out on your own and take care of the expenses and planning and all.

 I believe you should restrain any dating until your at least 16or 17 and of course get your parents blessings.

 Um I think "dating" at 11 isn't really dating... It's just kids wanting to be older than they really are.

About 16 is when a real relationship could happen between the two teens.

I can't date until college, and i wouldn't want to. I'm too young and it's too much of a distraction

 I think freshmen in highschool should be mature enough to handle dating. I think younger, middleschool, kids can do boy/girl activities in groups such as going to the movies, having dances or parties.

 I personally don't get to date till I'm 16 but I think 11 is WAY TOO YOUNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!