As teenagers transition into their high school years, they are faced with the overwhelming pressure to date someone based on societal expectations. Books and movies portray a message that romance and high school go hand and hand; however, this does not have to be the reality.
These same students who feel as if they need to satisfy social standards force themselves into a relationship rather than genuinely wanting to be with that particular person.
High school relationships with the wrong intentions can be toxic and often falter.
“I had been in a serious relationship prior to this one that was rather toxic, and its fallout took a tremendous toll on me,” said Alex Moriarty, a junior at Carlmont High School.
The unwanted feelings a person can endure in a high school relationship can lead to mental drainage and unwanted insecurities.
Genuine love and care are both crucial for a long-lasting relationship; yet these values can get twisted in the mind of a teenager. During high school, students are always trying to find themselves and figure out who they want to be as people.
According to Mental Health Daily, “The brain is not fully developed until the age of 25 (…) and all behaviors and experiences you endure until that age have potential to impact your developing brain.”
A high schooler’s lack of life experience and maturity in comparison to an adult poses a great challenge towards a healthy relationship.
“I think it’s hard to be in a high school relationship for some because we are so young and don’t understand the values that go into one. Some do not even understand what loving a person actually means,” said Lauren Springer, a junior at Aragon High School.
Many people fear the idea of being alone. Society has planted the idea in people’s minds that they need someone to complete them. This can especially linger for teenagers who get so caught up in trying to make someone else happy that they ignore their own happiness.
This can drive those in a relationship to rely solely on the other person, making it easier to disregard other important aspects of their lives, such as family and friends. On top of that, students may find themselves struggling to do their best in school. Time management does not come easy for students with six or more classes who are also trying to balance a relationship. A significant other might provide one with a basis for their future partners; however, it can also take away from one’s high school experience.
No matter how a relationship comes ends, the feelings of sadness are still imminent. Teenagers take the hard end of this as hormones also come into play.
Even if the break up was for the best, students will find themselves reminiscing of good times, which is damaging in the process of trying to move on.
The best advice for anyone searching to be with someone else is to focus on themselves as an individual. A teenager’s journey should be about them as they are challenged to be their own safe place. A person will always have themselves at the end of the day, and there is no need for peer pressure to affect one’s aspirations and make one feel incomplete on their own.
