As children grow up, especially in modern-day society, they watch movies and shows depicting teenagers dating in high school. Dating in high school, depending on the couple, may result in different ways, such as a stressful or carefree feeling within the relationship. These relationships can present one with a feeling of support through hard times, but they can also cause an individual to feel a constant need for a relationship.
“What makes [relationships] hard is that all the academic stress put on both of us doesn’t give us a lot of time for each other, but we always find time to communicate and talk. Sometimes parents are strict, and we can’t talk all the time. We’re teens, and we’re growing hormones are all over the place, so it’s just a lot of changes in personality and mood swings. I think it really comes down to maturity levels because of drama everywhere,” magnet sophomore Kylie Floyd said.
High school relationships represent an essential part of life, perfect for developing emotional knowledge. It can also allow one a better understanding of one’s own emotions and what one would want from a romantic relationship. These connections allow students to grow despite their broken hearts and learn how to balance school and their significant others. This bond also allows for self-growth as the individual wants to better themselves, either despite an ex-partner or to improve themselves to gain the approval of a person they like.
Relationships that take place in high school tend to take up massive amounts of time, leading to students in romantic relationships becoming stressed. Because of this, their grades begin to decline as they feel the need to keep up with their bond at the cost of themselves. Romance in school can present a challenge due to the fact that teachers and administrators disapprove of acts such as putting an arm around another person and kissing in school.
“I wouldn’t mind being in a high school relationship, but if you are in one, I wouldn’t expect it to last too long. Maybe like five months, but a year is pushing it. I would encourage people to be in one, but just don’t take it too seriously, and don’t expect it to last too long. I say that it won’t last long because people are immature and do dumb things, and then we regret the dumb things and we learn from them. That’s when we find out who we really are,” Junior Jeremiah Vernet
Relationships in high school tend to come with drama and teenage expectations of what love and romance represent. The drama associated with these relationships leaves individuals hurt or angry with other people. This can cause friend groups to break up, as well as the couple to break up. Overall, students need relationships not only for self-discovery but to understand what they want out of life and their future partners.
High school sweethearts rarely last, especially as the couple graduates. Only two percent of high school relationships reach marriage. This is mainly due to a lack of maturity, attending separate colleges and growing apart due to aging and becoming an adult. Parents tend to dismiss teen relationships, which can lead to children thinking that the actions they commit while in the relationship can have less of an effect or meaning.
High school relationships allow teens to discover themselves. This discovery can lead to students deciding on their career and what kind of commitment they want out of a person. With high school relationships, a list of complex emotions follows, but these emotions overall lead to successful adults.
