to be confused by dating culture

[NameChangeForDatingQun]

I grew up in a very conservative culture. Schools were single sex and we weren't allowed to date (at least openly) - so, most of us didn't.
We were allowed to date in our 20s, but it was once we'd finished our education and with the view to getting married, by then we (sort of) knew what we wanted in life (eg where we wanted to live, whether or not we wanted kids, whether we wanted to focus on career or home etc) so we could choose to get to know people that would be compatible with that.

In British and American culture I can see that dating as a teenager is seen as normal. Going to prom with a date is something that is encouraged. Etc.
I just wanted to understand why, as I am bringing my kids up in this culture which is so different to the one I was. I don't want to enforce rules on my children just because I was brought up with them, without understanding the other side.

Isn't a high school child too young to know who they want to settle with? Most relationships starting in that age end in heartbreak as the couple move apart for college/university or job opportunities. So why encourage them? Is there an advantage to experiencing a relationship at a younger age?

The general feeling is that you have to have different experiences of different relationships to learn what works for you. Relationships are also about life experiences and fun and not just marriage. The idea that you would just have one relationship with a person you marry just seems very odd to me.

Most relationships starting in that age end in heartbreak

Says who?

It can be quite upsetting when you split up with someone at any age, but to say most end in 'heartbreak' at a young age is an over exaggeration.

It's like anything else in life that's great at the time but then comes to an end.

Would you never get a pet because you'll be upset when it dies?

Yeh I guess so. We did have multiple relationships before we settled...just started later! I guess if we started earlier we might have settled down at a younger age

Yeh I see what you mean. I don't like the idea of having a physical relationship with someone I might not marry but that's probably upbringing.

Yeah, you’d want to get over thst. Your children may want to shag around for many years be gore ‘settling down’. If they settle down.