Dating in high school is tricky because it is the time of firsts.  First kisses, first dates, first boyfriends and girlfriends, and the first time having significant feelings for someone else.  For most, this is almost overwhelming, and feels as though it could last forever.  Chances are, it won’t.

Going on an actual date in high school is rare, and getting to the point where someone can even call another their significant other is even harder.  The “talking” period that involves flirting and leading the other on without anyone actually stepping up and popping the question takes excessively long and sometimes never even happens.

After one gets through the talking period, the closest to a date one will get in high school, especially during the first two years, will be hanging out at the mall and hugging goodbye when the parents show up to collect their kids.

High school relationships are not expected by anyone except the two in the relationship to last until marriage. According to Huffington Post, only 2% of new marriages in America were highschool sweethearts. Which is a good thing, considering more than half those marriages will end in divorce according to reference.com.

Does this mean high schoolers should just stop dating?  Given that dating in high school teaches valuable lessons like what treatment is acceptable, what kind of people someone likes and what kind of people definitely won’t work out, dating should continue.  Let the kids have their fun while it won’t affect them too much, and learn for their future.  And to the 2% that do find their forever loves in the four walls of high school, best of luck, prove everyone wrong