Guest Author - Shanita Alexander

Date someone you truly like and would like to get to know better. Look for someone who has many positive qualities, is friendly and shares some interests with you. Don't judge on appearances alone. That hot guy could only be able to discuss football and weightlifting and if those things don't interest you, you could be in for a long night! Avoid dating guys who are into drugs, alcohol, cigarettes or criminal behavior. Whether you engage in these activities or not, your association with this kind of guy increases the chance that you'll eventually get drawn into his lifestyle. What your parents told you is correct, people do judge you by the company you keep.

Find someone that you feel comfortable introducing to your parents. If you date the type of person you have to hide from your family, that doesn't say much for the character of your date. Always follow the curfew your parents set for you. Never give them a reason to distrust you or your boyfriend. Consider going on group dates before you advance to one on one dates. Group dates give you the opportunity to get to know people without the pressure of solo dating. You might just decide that one of these guys is the type of person you want to date exclusively.

Take it slow. You may feel a lot of pressure from your boyfriend to begin a physical relationship. There is nothing wrong with enjoying kissing and holding hands. Think long and hard before developing a sexual relationship with a guy. You may get pregnant and while pregnancy may not ruin your life, it will definitely make it a lot harder than it needs to be. You also run the risk of developing a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Emotional damage may also be a factor. If you feel comfortable, talk with a parent, family member or physican about any questions you may have about sex. Don't assume you know it all.

Always bring your cellphone with you on your date. Make sure you have a means to contact your parents or a close friend if you find yourself in a bad situation and need advice or a ride home.