Leanne Jackson, 16, Shatin College
To be completely honest, I don’t think there’s a specific age when people are allowed to date. People should start dating when they feel they are ready, but if they try it earlier and things go wrong, then it’s just a learning curve for them. As for people worrying about teenage dating, as long as there’s adequate education in school or at home, things should work out OK. So it’s really not a question of when you should start dating; the key is education, no matter what.
Cyrus Chu, 17, St Louis School
When we reach adolescence, we start to realise the feeling of love which lies deep in our hearts. It could be directed towards a best friend, or it could be some random stranger on the street. It is important for teenagers to make sense of those feelings before we start to express them. That’s why I propose people should be allowed to start dating during their teenage years – at around 15 or 16.
Hong Kong students just can’t wait to date
Chloe Lau, 14, St Mary’s Canossian College
To me, dating is a matter of who, not when. I believe the “right age” differs depending on the person. No matter if you start dating at a younger or older age, the most important thing is to choose and act wisely. If you find someone who communicates well, and respects, listens to and loves you, it’s fine to start dating even in secondary school. But you need to balance it with your studies and extracurricular activities.
Cynthia So, 18, Creative Secondary School
I believe people should be allowed to start dating when they are in secondary school. This is the time we get to know more about the differences between the genders. So I think experiencing “puppy love” in secondary school will make our student life more interesting.
Talking Points: Who should be the one to pay for a date?
Nester Chik, 17, Sing Yin Secondary School
I genuinely think it is not a matter of age but maturity. Love is a complex feeling and relationships need work. This can come with disadvantages, such as having less time to cope with your studies or to relax. In general, people are more mature and can handle difficulties better when they enter university, but the best moment to start dating is when you are ready to embrace the differences a new relationship will bring.
In our next Talking Points, we’ll discuss:
Can the new one-off government grant of HK$2,500 help alleviate students’ financial burdens?
We are now accepting your answers for this topic. To take part, email your answer with your name, age, and school, along with a nice, clear selfie (make sure it’s not blurry), to [email protected] by lunchtime on Monday. Don’t forget to include “Talking Points” in the subject line.