It’s All About Love!

Since the beginning of time, dating has been a form of connection and understanding between two people. 

Watching adults, teenagers learn to mimic the behavior to feel more “grown-up” or “noticed”. Thus, dating in high school has become the ideal.

But why has dating at a young age become such a widespread and cultural act?

I’ve asked students and staff of  Franklin High School about their understanding and outlook on high school dating life, and how it’s impacted students.

“I think there’s a really traditional way of thinking about relationships in school,” said Mr. Faetz. “I think that there’s a lot of pressure and expectations on students to have a significant other of some kind.”

A lot of the time, dating is misunderstood. Most people date when they feel alone or don’t feel loved, even by themselves. With all sorts of stress and changes during high school added onto that mindset, this can be a hard thing to grasp as a learning and growing person.

“My opinion on the high school dating trend is that it shouldn’t be normalized,” Lily Giron, Grade 10. “High school is a very formative time, and I think by entering a relationship with another person, you start forming yourself and your ideas around your partner.”

Others, however, have found comfort.

“I actually really appreciate the whole dating thing,” Malia Covert, Grade 10. “I’m in a relationship, and I think it’s great, but I also wish people were more loyal, though.”

Loyalty is a big thing when it comes to dating and relationships, because it sets the boundary for trust in each other and is the baseline for a healthy relationship.

“Healthy aspects that I notice [in a relationship] are that [the couple don’t] constantly text or interact with each other, they allow themselves to breathe and give each other space,” said Giron. 

Space is vital for personal growth and learning, and when couples spend so much time with each other, it can disrupt the individual learning process.

“What I noticed about those relationships [where students gave each other space] is that they were completely free from jealousy,” said Faetz. 

Jealousy is a common struggle when it comes to high school life. Hormones and stressful new experiences can affect our perception of others and ourselves.

Along with giving their opinions on relationships, these students and staff members also provided advice for those looking to be in a relationship.

“I think just wait until you find the right person,” Covert said. “I knew for three years who I truly wanted, but I always settled for less. Don’t settle and don’t do it based on lust. Do it for what your heart desires.”

Many people get into relationships for the security and title of it, but not for the emotional connection and the little moments that aren’t as glamorous as the beginning of it.

“My advice for people seeking relationships is that you shouldn’t rush,” Giron said. “Don’t try and latch yourself onto the nearest person; take your time and find someone you truly enjoy being around. Otherwise, it could end in tension, awkwardness, and heartbreak.”

“I don’t necessarily think it should be discouraged at all, but I also think that students should be a little bit more forward thinking about, first of all, what do they want out of a relationship? And what’s practical when you are, let’s say, 16 or 17 years old, to want out of a relationship, right?” said Faetz. “So I think it’s probably best to look at relationships when you’re younger, as hard as it is, as temporary learning experiences.”