Name: Patricia Isabelle A.

Nacional Grade and Section: 11-Discipline

Teacher: Miss Floris Wayvell R. Pablo Date: September 10, 2016

Name of Activity: Position Paper Word Count: 522

High School Relationships: Yay or Nay?

Nowadays, it is common for us to see teenagers dating, especially in movies, books, and
TV shows that romanticize the idea of young love. We often forget that besides their love lives,
these teens also have their academic responsibilities to deal with—projects, tests to study for,
lessons to keep up with—adding a boyfriend or a girlfriend to the equation would simply take up
too much of their already-limited time. Stages of Life, a group of researchers focusing on high
school students, conducted a survey about teenage relationships, and 61% of their respondents
stated that they have been or are in a relationship (2015). Teenagers should not be allowed by
their parents to start dating because it could be a cause of distraction for them, and experiencing
heartache may cause emotional distress, therefore impacting their academic performances.

Engaging in a relationship could seriously affect a student’s academic performance.

According to Lowe (2014), more than half of their respondents states that they text their partners
during class. Because of this, their attention towards the lesson being taught by the teacher is
divided; their focus is not solely on the lesson, but also on their mobile phones. They would also
have less time for studying, because instead of staying at home rereading their notes, they would
opt to go out on dates or communicate online with their partners instead. Moreover, the students
may experience a lack of enthusiasm to attend classes and learn when they are not in good terms
with their respective partners.

Heartbreak is something which consumes a person entirely—there is no way to cure it

instantly, unlike physical illnesses. Experiencing this at a young age could lead a teenager to
depression, loneliness, and recklessness. The same survey conducted by Stages of Life (2015)
states that 66% of their respondents admit to having experienced heartbreak at least once in their
high school life. If the student is experiencing heartbreak for the first time, his /her chance of
acquiring depression is extremely high, due to unfamiliar feelings arising. The teenager is also
likely to develop immense feelings of loneliness, because he/she is not used to being without
his/her significant other. Because of loneliness and depression, the teenager might become
reckless and turn to drugs and alcohol for comfort or to draw attention towards oneself.

However, despite its detrimental effects, teenage relationships may actually also be
helpful in a teenager’s growth and development, particularly emotionally. These relationships
may increase a teenager’s level of maturity and understanding. Being involved in a relationship
teaches teenagers how to be flexible with their time, because they should learn how to balance
their time for academics and their time for going out and communicating with their significant
other. A teenager also learns how to become more understanding they are involved in a
relationship because arguing with their significant other teaches them that things won’t always
go the way they want it to (Avery-Stoss, 2016). Lastly, a teenager will learn how compromise
because both the teenager and their significant other should benefit and grow from the
relationship.

Of course, not everyone can avoid being in a relationship, because feelings overpower
our rational thinking most of the time, but we should bear in mind that teenage relationships are
highly discouraged. Due to possible emotional distress and distraction from academic
responsibilities, teenagers should be highly discouraged from dating; however, if the teenager is
already involved in a relationship, they must set their limitations and boundaries, and maintain an
open communication with their parents.
 SOURCES

Avery-Stoss, J. (2016). Positive Effects of Heartbreak on Teenagers. Retrieved from

http://oureverydaylife.com/positive-effects-dating-teenagers-17478.html.

Lowe, L. (2014 February 11). Does Dating as a Student Negatively Affect Your Grades?.

Retrieved from http://parade.com/262042/linzlowe/does-dating-as-a-student-negatively-

affect-your-grades/.

Stages of Life: High School Facts and Figures. Retrieved from

http://www.stageoflife.com/StageHighSchool/OtherResources/Statistics_on_High_Schoo
l_Students_and_Teenagers.aspx.