I don't really think this is about the age Puppy..
I get a feeling this has to do with people trying to push their morals on others...
I think it is the word DATING...
They want him to stay longsuffering and unhappy and wondering what he should do instead of taking the bull by the horns and living life to the fullest......
I know many of my friends would have ridden me to no end if I would have had a chance to date a good looking woman and said no because I was waiting for a woman that was using me and screwing around on me for months on end.....
I wouldn't have blamed them for riding me about that if I would have been so stupid....