Parental permission to date and its relationship to drug use and suicidal thoughts among adolescents.

The primary purpose of this research was to determine the effects of early and late parental permission to begin dating. To accomplish this, relationships were determined between the age youngsters reported that their parents let them begin dating and the variables which relate to the participants': (1) self concept; (2) perception of their parents; (3) reported drinking and drug abuse problems; (4) reported delinquent behavior; (5) serious suicidal thoughts; (6) frequency of drug use; and (7) frequency of dating before gaining parental permission. Early permission to date was found to be significantly related to feelings of being confident, independent and tired, good relationship with mother, reported drinking and drug abuse problems, and frequent use of alcohol, marijuana, downers, cocaine and tobacco. Late permission was significantly related to feelings of being unsure, dependent and refreshed, poor relationship with mother, maternal over-strictness, and serious suicidal thoughts. In comparison to those who received parental permission to date when they were 15, both earlier and later daters were more likely to report dating before obtaining parental permission, and more likely to report either daily drug use or serious suicidal thoughts. It appears that the year following the 15th birthday may be the most appropriate time for parents to allow (or encourage) their children to begin dating.