It is that time of year again folks; when couples everywhere devote an entire day to their lasting love and those that are forever alone find solace deep in a box of assorted chocolates and reruns of cheesy love flicks. Yes, it is almost Valentine’s Day, a holiday accompanied by a wide range of connotations, depending on who you ask. While some curse the day and its nagging tendency to remind single people of just how alone they are, the hopeless romantics of the world cherish the love that lingers in the air. Nonetheless, for many high schoolers this annual celebration of love sparks the unavoidable question; is it worth it to date in high school?
The answer is a definite yes. Despite contrary beliefs, high school relationships are worth the time because of the benefits they reap. The first advantage of dating is found in the comfort and support that a boyfriend/girlfriend can provide in a time often filled with stress and uncertainty. With a packed schedule that includes piles of homework, daily practices to attend, and a multitude of clubs to participate in; a boyfriend/girlfriend can help establish a balance between working hard and maintaining a social life.
Senior Annie Miller also believes that relationships are a good thing, and she expressed a common perspective when she said, “It’s nice to always have someone to confide in and hangout with.”
In addition to providing comfort and entertainment, high school relationships may help teens test some of the technicalities that are associated with dating. For example, date etiquette is typically not a natural skill, and spending time alone with another person can be quite intimidating. For this reason, a high school relationship can be like a test run and a precursor for future relationships, as they allow teens to determine what does or does not work for them. Additionally, they let high schoolers decide what kind of person they are looking for, and if they have a specific “type.” It is especially important to see what a real relationship is like after the awkward relationships that existed in middle school.
Ultimately, a high school relationship is a good thing, regardless of your personality or your schedule. Likewise, the opportunity to forge new relationships and discover new things about yourself and someone else should never be taken for granted or passed over. For who knows, you just may find your soul mate in the process.
CONS OF A BF/GF IN HIGH SCHOOL
However, for all of you who are “forever alone,” you may feel like its that special holiday that comes around once a year in celebration of your independence. Instead of sulking and wishing that you had someone to spend Valentine’s Day with, think of the pros of being single. After considering the assets of individualism, the real answer to the question, is it worth it to date in high school, is a clear and bold no. People try to justify how awesome relationships are and how they’re so “worth it” by citing the benefits of always having someone to talk to and having someone to be there…blah blah blah. Talk to a friend or your family, because almost everyone has someone that is always there for them.
Not only are a variety of pros to being single, there are also many pros to not having a boyfriend or girlfriend, specifically in high school. For one, not having a date is definitely a money saver. Having nobody to buy expensive and useless gifts on makes it less of an inconvenience to you and gives you more money to go out and buy fun and useful things for yourself, your friends or even your family.
Freedom is one of the key words when a desperately confused high school adolescent is frantically weighing out the pros and cons of relationships in high school. The stress and agony over having to check in with someone besides a parent or not being able to do things because your boyfriend or girlfriend doesn’t want you to is one big annoyance. Senior Greg Logue agrees that some of the pros of being single are “the freedom and not having to buy any presents.”
Sophomore Catherine Woods said, “being single gives you more free time, less drama and you don’t have to deal with the breakup,” when asked what are some good things about waiting till after high school for a relationship. Not to say that your high school sweetheart won’t be your significant other later down the road and that you won’t be so happy and have a great family, but according to The Quiet Voice, approximately 5% of high school relationships actually workout. Which backs up the difficult question; is it even worth it? No, it sure isn’t.
Overall, a high school relationship is not necessarily the best idea unless spending money, being tied down and having no freedom is your thing. For this reason, it’s safe to say; single is the way to go.