Final answer:
After engaging in large mixed-gender groups, a 14-year-old is likely to progress to dating one on one as the next step in the traditional progression towards romance.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the transition from childhood to adolescence, social interactions evolve. When your 14 year old cousin gets together in large mixed gender groups of boys and girls, they are participating in a stage of socialization that is crucial for their development. The traditional progression to romance after spending time in large mixed gender groups often leads to dating one on one. This is usually preceded by smaller mixed-gender clicks that form within the larger group as adolescents start to explore their feelings and attractions towards individual peers. This process reflects the increasing importance of intimate relationships during adolescence, a period characterized by sexual maturation and the desire to form romantic connections.