Are you falling head over heels over a boy or girl in your school?
That special someone who you feel that you’ll be able to live the rest of your life with?
Woah, slow down there!
Before you jump head over heels into a relationship at a young age, perhaps you should know what you’re getting yourself into.
And before you start labeling me as an old country bumpkin who is against student-dating, please know that I’m not against it at all.
In fact, dating at a young age does have its benefits.
I just think it’s good for youngsters like you to know more about the pros and cons of dating, so you can make a wise, informed decision.
In this article, I’ll be going through with you the pros and cons of dating at a young age.
Let’s start with the pros, shall we?
Pros of Dating at Young Age
When you ask an adult about the pros of dating at a young age, most of them will tell you that there aren’t any pros.
They would tell you to just focus on your studies instead of using your time to get to know another person you’re interested in.
But in actual fact, there are actually several pros of dating when you’re still in school.
Let’s dive deeper!
1) It Can Be a Positive Experience
Being in a relationship can teach you way more things than staying in a classroom for 6 hours a day.
It can open a whole new world of perspectives.
Being in a relationship allows you to open up yourself to someone you’re comfortable with, in a much more intimate way, a way which cannot be shown to your parents or close friends.
Just for that special someone.
Moreover, being with someone who owns your heart can fill your life with bliss and happiness!
2) Know More About the Opposite Gender
For both males and females, it can be really frustrating and nerve-wracking when it comes to understanding the opposite gender.
For some reason, boys can’t seem to understand girls, vice versa.
But I think the reason behind this is because it takes a lot to open up to someone who is of different gender.
You tend to be more honest and open only after getting comfortable with someone.
However, in schools, teachers tend to segregate boys to one side, and girls to another in order to avoid complications.
This in turn creates a barrier which makes it hard for either gender to get close and understand each other.
Hence, if you were to get into a relationship, it gives you a rare opportunity to know someone of the opposite gender.
Make full use of this opportunity to hone your communication skills, it can benefit you in the long run when you enter the workforce.
Your higher-ups might consist of mostly females, you never know.
3) Get to Know Your Ideal Type
Have you heard of the saying “There’s a million types of fish in the sea”?
It means that there are a lot of people in this world, all of different nature and character.
When you start dating at a young age, it gives you more time to find your ideal partner.
You might like someone who’s more sporty, nerdy, adventurous, shy, etc.
You never know till you start exploring.
If you do get lucky and find your ideal type, it makes it easier when you want to find someone to settle down with when you’re older.
If not, you’ll at least know what you don’t want, and it’ll help narrow the choices down in the future.
4) Make you Potentially More Mature
Dating at a young age can potentially make you more mature than your peers.
Why is that so?
When you’re in a relationship, you’ve to be there for your partner.
During the ups and downs.
You’re bound to experience more of these ups and downs as you’re also exposed to your partner’s life.
When your partner experiences something you’ve never experienced before, it opens your eyes to what life is like for other people.
This can widen your horizons of life and mature you.
You may even start to find your peers who’ve never been in a relationship rather childish.
5) You’ll Never Be Alone
One of the best pros of being in a relationship is that you’ll always have someone beside you, be it physically or spiritually.
Having a partner is like having a best friend, he/she will be someone you can do just about anything with.
Movie dates, breakfast/lunch/dinner dates, sports, etc.
The sky is your limit!
With the boundless activities in this world ready for you to try out with your partner, there will never be a boring day if you know how to make use of your time.
And did you know that being lonely can cause sadness and weigh you down as much as depression?
Hence, having a partner who is your best friend can not only make your time enjoyable, but also potentially prevent you from falling into depression.
Thanks, partner!
Cons of Dating at a Young Age
After listing out all the pros of being in a relationship at a young age, it seems like you should just go full steam ahead and make your move right?
Hold your horses.
There will also be pros and cons when it comes to anything in this world, relationships included.
Let me list some of the cons of dating at a young age, so you know what to expect.
Make sure to read them before making your move!
1) You’ll Be Extremely Busy
Don’t you already feel busy as a student who has to juggle between school, homework, exams, co-curricular activities, family, friends, and sleep?
Let alone be in a relationship.
With the stress most students are feeling these days due to the amount of commitments they have, do you think you can be that 5% of students who can find the balance and do well for both school and their personal life?
If you think you can, then good for you.
But I’m here to break it to you that most students won’t be able to juggle all these commitments.
And being in a relationship will just add to your already high-stress levels.
2) Money Issues
Being in a relationship actually takes up a stupendous amount of money.
With the increased costs of many recreational activities, can you really sustain it with just your pocket money?
Assuming you only have time to go on dates during weekends, a movie ticket will already cost you approximately $13 per person.
And what if you feel hungry after watching a suspenseful and scary movie?
You’ll probably spend another $10++ on food.
The cost of 1 date can potentially be $30 or more expensive! Moreover, if you don’t have a car yet and want to rent one, be ready for additional expenses. Young drivers are subject to extra car rental fees due to lack of driving experience.
If you’re a lucky child from a wealthy family, with a daily allowance of maybe $50 in secondary school, then good for you.
In reality, most of you only have a daily allowance of $12 or less.
Which is not sustainable when going out on multiple dates in a week.
3) The Tough Breakups
Not everyone is able to find their ideal partner just from 1 relationship.
Many of us will go through a few breakups in our life, and each just as painful as the other.
As someone who’s young and maybe more immature, do you think you can handle the pain that comes with a breakup?
Breaking up with someone you love can affect you physically and mentally, badly.
As a student, you might see that your grades are taking a sharp dive down after a break up.
You might feel more agitated whenever your family or friends talk to you, which can ruin relationships and friendships.
Apart from what is mentioned, you might encounter your ex frequently since you guys are in the same school, or even the same classroom.
That means seeing each other everyday!
How awkward…
4) Lose Friends in the Process
When you’re in a relationship, chances are you’ll prioritise spending time with your partner over your friends.
And when this happens, you’ll see your once close friends start distancing themselves away from you.
It might not affect you much when you’re in a relationship.
But what happens after you break up?
Will your friends willingly open their arms and accept you back?
That is something you can’t control as the decisions will be made by your friends.
It’s best if you learn how to balance between your partner and friends in order to avoid this situation.
5) Disapproving Parents
Ever since my time, parents tend to disapprove of their children dating at a young age.
Because parents want their children to excel in their studies before anything else.
There’s no rush in getting into a relationship when we were still students.
And times haven’t changed, most parents still don’t want their children to get into a relationship at a young age.
With the increased stiffness in competitions between students enrolling into universities, parents these days are looking to squeeze as much of their children’s time into education as possible.
Tuition, piano lessons, you name it.
I guess it’s just our parents’ nature when it comes to wanting us, their kids to excel in life.
Conclusion
Being in a relationship at a young age has its fair share of pros and cons.
After reading this article, I hope you’re able to come to a sensible decision before making your move.
Thanks for reading!
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