Do High School Relations Ever Really Last?
Do High School Relations Ever Really Last?
Auddie Lentine
Flagstaff high school has a wide selection of students who all fall for the same trap, dating in high school. The goal of this article isn't
to scare people into never dating again, but let’s just say, relationships in high school should come with a huge, bright red, with strobe lights, caution label.
Many students enter a relationship with a hope and a dream that it will work out, without fully understanding that you should always study the person you are interested in. New high school students typically focus on looks, whether or not they have someone to hold hands with as they walk to class, and if a Pinterest board has their zodiac signs matched together. While it's fun obsessing over someone you find physically attractive, the most important thing a student needs to consider when rushing into a relationship is how ready they are to commit to something that could deeply affect you.
Relationships are not easy, and there are people in your school that can very much harm you, emotionally and/or physically. Taking the time to become friends with the person you like, and getting to know each other inside and out will either prepare you for the happiness of finding love for a short period of time, or prepare you to absolutely run the opposite way. Learning how to avoid someone without guilt or being able to reject someone you don't see fit for yourself will always save you from the risks of falling into a trapped relationship, where you feel like you can't leave this person no matter how unhappy you are. I asked my friend Jordyn if she thought her relationship with her ex-boyfriend did her more harm than good, and if given the chance, would she ever get into a relationship if she knew how it would end. She said “The relationship that I had with my ex wasn't the best but I wouldn't say it harmed me, I just wish I could have figured out what I wanted before I committed to a person. I think in a way people just want to be loved and will do a lot to get it. I would say i dont regret it at all and if I could I would do it again, but I was the one to hurt someone and I hated it. Knowing that I did something to a person who cared for me and accepted me, makes me not want to hurt another soul like his.”
A trapped relationship is something that seems very common in FHS, because many people are unable to leave a relationship, while becoming dependent off of them. Changing yourself for the person you want just so they can fall for you is more common than anyone can think. For sure you know a friend who changed their whole personality, style, etc, so they can try and find their person, and you don't remember who they were before, and neither do they. Changing yourself for anyone defeats the purpose of a true and happy loving relationship. Being yourself when someone else falls in love with YOU is where it’s at, but it's rare to see in high school.
Many students lack the maturity to really devote themselves to a relationship, using someone mainly just as decoration, this tends to be transactional. One week they may be spending their time over a breakup, while the next brings someone new, which can be shown that they don't find long lasting relationships as important, which makes sense, everyone is young and dumb in high school.
Despite some young people's lack of real connection, and other students getting into a relationship that is doomed to fail, nothing will stop a student from getting into a relationship, as it is just a part of the high school experience.