26
N the Red
March 10, 2020
To date or not to date High school relationships teach important life lessons early on Lily Thomas
N
thomalil000@hsestudents.org
avigating relationships, especially at a young age, can be di cult. o ever, a healthy romantic relationship can help teenagers learn valuable lessons that ill better them in the future. With the right environment, high school can serve as a safe space for teenagers to make mistakes and correct them before going out into the real orld, hich is hy it is crucial for teens to establish an understanding of relationships in high school. dolescents ho date during high school acquired important social skills and displayed emotional gro th, according to the . . epartment of ealth and uman ervices . earning communication and social s ills at an early age ill ma e it easier to properly handle relationships later on, especially in college hen combined factors, li e adjusting to being a ay from home, are present. ccording to research from Child rends ataban , teenagers in relationships often have a better image of themselves because having a partner can boost confidence and self esteem. elationships also teach teens ho to care for another person and respect his or her needs on a personal, intimate level. ealthy relationships are built on mutual respect, communication and trust, according to the alls ealth Center. pea ing from personal experience, my relationship has increased my respect for myself marginally. t improved my communication s ills and benefited my understanding of myself as a person. as also able to find a balance bet een school or and my relationship.
hough there are su cient benefits, dating in high school is not overly popular. ccording to a survey of students ta en bet een eb. and , . of high school students are currently in a relationship or have been in one during high school. he same survey found that . of students ould li e to be in a relationship. he success of young relationships depends on many factors, one being ho healthy the relationship is. igns of an unhealthy relationship include controlling partners, hostility and disrespect. hose in an unhealthy relationship should consult a trusted adult or professional to help them discuss options such as safely ending the relationship. ystanders ho notice to ic traits ithin others relationships should spea up and offer support. tudents can also visit ove is espect,” a ebsite ith resources about healthy relationships and dating. igh school relationships are not the end all be all and not having one is normal, but it is incumbent on parents, schools and society as a hole to reali e their role in ma imi ing good outcomes for young relationships and decreasing the impact of harm. arents and schools can instruct, model and provide support for healthy relationships. report done by C mentions that promoting social emotional development enhances teenagers ell being and overall enjoyment of life. rograms li e ating atters trategies to romote ealthy een elationships,” created by the Centers for isease Control and revention, help educate adolescents about healthy relationships and behaviors that put them at ris of dating violence. encourage teaching about healthy relationships and supporting them because it gives teenagers a better chance of pursuing happy, beneficial relationships in high school and beyond. Before C lunch, sophomores Taylor Hamilton and James Gibbs talk and hold hands on Feb. 20. Photo by Lily Thomas.
