- Participate only in group and public dating, especially during your first few years of dating.
- Have specific date plans and alternative (back-up) plans. Never just drive around to see what happens.
- Tell your parents or other responsible adults where you are going on a date, with whom, and when you plan to be back.
- Associate only with people you know and trust.
- Develop friendships only with positive people.
- Check out the reputation of a future date before you accept the date.
- Check out your future date’s friends before you accept the date. Your date will certainly be like the people he or she hangs out with, and their goals and values may be much different than yours.
- Be selective. Don’t go out with just anybody. If you turn down a bad date, the telephone will ring again.
- Date people with goals and values similar to yours.
- Date only people very close to your own age. IMPORTANT FACT: One of the most common causes of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases is older males (in their twenties) dating younger females (in their mid-teens). Don’t be flattered. Instead, ask yourself: Why me? What’s he after? Why can’t he attract someone his own age?
- Have your date meet your parents.
- Meet your date’s parents.
- Never be a “tease.” Most especially, never tease in unsure situations.
- Make sure your words and actions match. Avoid any double messages.
- Don’t be a “tension reliever.”
- Be truthful about what you want and don’t want out of a relationship.
- Stay vertical (seated or standing), never horizontal (lying down).
- Stay out of back seats of parked cars.
- Never be in a house alone with your boyfriend/girlfriend.
- Keep rooms well lit.
- Know it’s okay to walk away from a dangerous or uncomfortable situation.
- Always carry enough pocket change on a date to make telephone calls for help (parents, other relatives, police), if needed.
- Never drink alcohol or take other drugs on a date. Arrange for a safe ride home, if your date begins drinking or taking drugs.
- Don’t fall for lines.
- You don’t owe anybody anything— especially sexual favors.
- A male who loves and respects you will never ask you to prove your love. If you are asked to prove “love” through sex, get rid of this loser now.
- Know your personal strengths and weaknesses.
- Set your limits before you date.
- Communicate your limits before you date.
- Be assertive and uncompromising, when setting limits.
- Make up your mind firmly in advance that you will remain abstinent.
- Learn from your past mistakes and experiences.
- Set goals for your future.
- Maintain high self-esteem.
- Remember that you are special.
- Remember especially that YOU’RE WORTH WAITING FOR!