wow!
The discussion has changed the gears, for its own good.
I am in complete favor of allowing\encouraging teen dating if not marriages and it does not mean that they are mandatory as there is not one size approach that fits all.
I think some teens are responsible enough if they are trusted, again not talking about all. Most parents are selfish enough to not let the little birdie get out of the nest scared that it will get hurt. They like that feeling of superiority, that someone is counting on them, that they know more and they know better. They find it hard to let go, let them find the meanings of their lives, or get a taste of the world around them. They are fed, changed and protected, more so in Indian families. So even when one get married at 21-28, they are in a big shock, to some it feels like they just never had a change to go through that growing process. Actually its true of many, they were a kid, remain a kid. Indian mom dads confuse dependency with love and thats the biggest hindrance in the growing process. So what one is 25-28, he or she is still a kid.
All kind of pressures are in place when you are in your teens, do this, don't do that, this is bad, this is good without much solid justification. You question them and you are disrespecting them. Well, I am not talking about all the families but its true of most families. In a harsh world like that if you find your soul mate and society is open enough to let you hang out with him (marriage or no marriage), what more do you need.