Teens chew the fat about dating during high school
Teen dating is always a hot topic among high schoolers, so this month, Debate Club sat down with three International School of Beijing students to see what they had to say on the matter.
How do your parents feel about high school dating?
Lily Ann: My parents are really laid-back about dating in high school. As long as I don’t do anything over-the-top they [won’t] mind. I haven’t dated anyone in high school yet so I’m not sure what they would say, but that’s the way it was with my sister.
Merrie: My mom is very relaxed about it and I just don’t tell my dad. [Since I’m] the youngest of three, it’s harder for him to hear that I am in a relationship.
Diggory: Both of them are pretty much content with being out of the loop with what I’m up to, and they let me do whatever I want. They just say that as long as I don’t turn them into grandparents just yet, it’s ok.
How do you respond to parents who don’t let their kids date during high school?
Lily Ann: I respect the parents’ opinion because if they want to raise their children focusing on their academics that’s their choice. But once the child is in high school I think that the parents should let their children be responsible for themselves and should trust their children to make the right decisions.
Merrie: If the parent has a good reason for why they don’t want their kids to be dating then you have to respect that. At the same time, if it was the parents of the boy I liked, I’d probably have a different opinion on the matter!
Diggory: I can empathize. I, too, would be pretty weirded-out at the prospect of teenage boys dating my daughter. I know from experience what goes through our minds – we are not to be trusted!
How do you personally feel about dating in high school?
Lily Ann: I think it’s a good way of getting to know people and yourself. Outside of school you should also have a social life, and dating is part of that. Dating in high school is fun, but you shouldn’t get too wrapped up in it, otherwise it might conflict with your studies.
Merrie: Well, I think that dating in high school is very important. The kids you date and the relationships you are in prepare you for future relationships that will be more serious.
Diggory: It’s all right with me, as long as people don’t take it too seriously. It’s only high school, after all.
A lot of students in international schools are in long-distance relationships. Do you think they can work?
Lily Ann: No, I don’t think so. I’ve seen couples trying the long-distance relationship thing and many decided to break up. You lose contact after a while because you can’t see each other, and talking on the phone is different than talking in person. Plus, they might meet new people. Personally, I have never tried it before, but from what I see with other couples, it never ends well.
Merrie: I personally have never been in a long-distance relationship, but from what I hear they don’t work too well. I think it really just depends on the couple and their relationship. Sometimes being away from people makes you appreciate them more, and sometimes you’ll just forget about them and move on.
Diggory: Personally, I don’t think the question is whether they can work, but whether they are morally justified. And the answer is absolutely not. It’s totally criminal for a girl to keep herself off the market when there’s so many fine young bachelors right here in Beijing.
