The Guardian (Charlottetown)

Teenage ‘love’

Sometimes teens date for all the wrong reasons

- BY PAYTON JAKUBOWSKI Payton Jakubowski is a Grade 11 student at Colonel Gray High School in Charlottet­own, who is completing a co-op placement at The Guardian.

Oh, romance. It’s butterflie­s in your stomach and a racing heart, or perhaps seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses. At least that’s how it’s made out to be. Today in high school, however, dating seems to be more of a game than building an actual relationsh­ip. It’s used for all the wrong reasons — not for chemistry but for gossip and jealousy.

When you think of dating, what comes to mind? Personally, going on dates comes to mine, a memo some teens haven’t gotten. Unfortunat­ely, the concept of going out and getting to know your new bae is foreign.

This idea of using someone as arm candy for two weeks is completely and utterly foolish. Believe it or not, there are those who take things like this seriously, and end up hurt by the arrogance of others.

To put it into simple terms, the definition of dating is: “a stage of romantic relationsh­ips in humans whereby two people meet socially with the aim of each assessing the other’s suitabilit­y as a prospectiv­e partner.” In not one part of this was there a reference about a “booty call” or what teens seem to think is dating.

Now, that was harsh but think of it as a wakeup call. We now know that there needs to be some changes, therefore let’s go over what a relationsh­ip should be:

— You should go out together or meet up

— Ask questions and get to know who this person really is

— You should have similar views and expectatio­ns from this relationsh­ip

— Your partner should make you feel important

— Trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t go for it

— Seeing this person should make you smile (It sounds odd but I can confirm it’s a true fact.)

— If you truly care for one another, it will work out

So, teenage dating is an odd situation but that doesn’t make it any less important. That being the case, have fun, be young, and date like a proper human being.

 ?? GUARDIAN PHOTO ?? Payton Jakubowski writes on various issues faced by P.E.I. young people.
GUARDIAN PHOTO Payton Jakubowski writes on various issues faced by P.E.I. young people.
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