DATING IN HIGH SCHOOL

To date or not to date High school relationships teach important life lessons early on

Lily Thomas thomalil000@hsestudents.org

Navigating relationships, especially at a young age, can be diٻ cult. 0o_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 0ealth and 0uman ;ervices 00;. 4earning communication and social sSills at an early age _ill maSe it easier to properly handle relationships later on, especially in college _hen combined factors, liSe adjusting to being a_ay from home, are present. )ccording to research from Child <rends ,atabanS, teenagers in relationships often have a better image of themselves because having a partner can boost confi dence and selfesteem. :elationships also teach teens ho_ to care for another person and respect his or her needs on a personal, intimate level. 0ealthy relationships are built on mutual respect, communication and trust, according to the 0alls 0ealth Center. ;peaSing from personal experience, my relationship has increased my respect for myself marginally. 1t improved my communication sSills and benefi ted my understanding of myself as a person. 1 _as also able to fi nd a balance bet_een school _orS and my relationship. marginally. 1t improved sSills and benefi ted my understanding of myself as a person. 1 _as also able to fi nd a balance bet_een school _orS

<hough there are suٻ cient benefi ts, dating in high school is not overly popular. )ccording to a survey of  students taSen 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 liSe 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 others¼ relationships should speaS up and off er support. ;tudents can also visit ¹4ove is :espect,” a _ebsite _ith resources about healthy relationships and dating. 0igh school relationships are not the endall beall and not having one is normal, but it is incumbent on parents, schools and society as a _hole to realibe their role in ma`imibing good outcomes for young relationships and decreasing the impact of harm. 8arents and schools can instruct, model and provide support for healthy relationships. ) report done by =C4) mentions that promoting socialemotional development enhances teenagers¼ _ell being and overall enjoyment of life. 8rograms liSe ¹,ating 5atters" ;trategies to 8romote 0ealthy <een :elationships,” created by the Centers for ,isease Control and 8revention, help educate adolescents about healthy relationships and behaviors that put them at risS of dating violence. 1 encourage teaching about healthy relationships and supporting them because it gives teenagers a better chance of pursuing happy, benefi cial relationships in high school and beyond. that promoting socialemotional development enhances teenagers¼ _ell being and overall enjoyment of life. 8rograms liSe ¹,ating 5atters" ;trategies to 8romote 0ealthy <een :elationships,” created by the Centers for ,isease Control and 8revention, help educate adolescents about healthy relationships and behaviors that put them at risS of dating violence. 1 encourage teaching about healthy relationships and supporting them because it gives teenagers a better chance of pursuing happy, benefi cial 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.