Many students, not only at NAI, are in high school relationships.

Teachers, parents, and students have many opinions on this subject. Should students date in high school? Are we too young or immature? Will the relationship last? What do students do on dates? How often do they see each other? These are only a minority of the questions that people seem to ponder on this subject.

Interviews were conducted over the past few weeks of students in relationships and their teachers opinions. A series of questions were inquired to students that captured their view on this theme. The students replied with their best answers giving information about their own relationship.

Alexey Altman, Sophomore

Q: Who are you dating and how long have you been together?

A: I am dating Gabrielle Parker and we have been together for two months. 

Q: What do you and your s/o like to do for fun? (where do you like to go/do)

A. We usually just hang out at each other’s houses but occasionally go to North Park or Cinemark. 

Q:Do you have a good amount of time to spend with your significant other (SO)? Do you get to see each other often?

A: Activities do get in the way, but we try to best meet on days that don’t conflict with our schedules.

Q: How do you feel about PDA in the halls between classes? Do you think students should be engaging in this at school?

A: I don’t exactly think PDA is the worst thing like holding hands and hugging isn’t the end of the world, but when couples start kissing each other as if they haven’t seen one another in over 20 years, it starts to get a little gross.

Q: Alexey was then requested to answer how often he fights or gets in a disagreement with Gabrielle. Do you fight often or have you broken up and got back together?

A: Since we haven’t exactly been together for that long, I can’t really say we had any fights, but that’s also because we tell each other what we don’t like and then try to improve upon it.

Q:Do you personally believe this relationship will stick together after high school comes to a close?

A: I mean I am no psychic, nor a love expert, but as of right now, I really like where the relationship is going and I believe that there is a good chance of it lasting after high school.

AJ Berarducci, Sophomore

Q: Who are you dating and how long have you been In this relationship?

A: I’m dating Paige Maffei, we’ve been official for about a month (but essentially we’ve liked each other since freshman year and the last two months have been “essentially” dating). 

Q: What do you and your SO do for fun and how often do you have time for dates? Do activities get in the way?

A: For fun we play my n64 and watch movies. We try to go on as many dates as possible but it’s typically one to two per week and at least once of the weekend.

Q: Do you fight often or have broken up and gotten back together?

A: No, we never fight, not in the year and a half we’ve known/liked each other.

Q: How do you feel about PDA in the halls?

A: I think pda is fine as long as it’s not obnoxious.

Q:The last question that was asked was, Do you think this relationship will last after high school?

We talk about spending our life together. I know it’s early for that but this is a special connection. We have both dated others before and acknowledged that we’ve never felt this way for anyone else. We are both willing to do whatever it takes to stick by each other’s side and stay together, we make each other so happy. I think the reason her and I go together and talk about spending our lives together is that we’ve been friends for such a long time. This hasn’t just been a month relationship, it’s been a year and a half in the making. We’ve built trust and dependence on each other, we’ve been in a relationship for much longer than two weeks despite only being “official” for a month if that makes sense.

Additionally, NAEye sought out counselor Mrs. Mayhew for a clinical opinion. 

Q: We asked her for a response to if she thinks students should be dating in high school.

A:  I believe it is important for students to formulate good friendships and relationships. It should be a family decision of whether the student should be allowed to have a relationship.

Q: Do you believe PDA is acceptable in the halls at NAI?

A: I think of being a student like a job. When you’re at your job you should be focused on your work. You also have to think about would you want your parents to walk past while you’re doing that.

Q: Do you think students are distracted from their studies when in a relationship?

A: This is 50/50 for me. I think that students can definitely be distracted when in a relationship. On the other hand, I think that a partner can motivate them to work harder and study more.

Q: What age is appropriate for students to start dating?

A: Well, that’s a good question. It’s hard to put a specific age. Ninth and tenth grade are important to focus on friendships. I think that around sixteen years old or junior year is a good time to start dating.

Overall, students tend to have a positive opinion towards dating in high school. Then again, everyone has their own judgement and they are entitled to it.