Feb. 13, 2026
For some teenagers, the pressure to date in high school can seem insurmountable, leaving them feeling insecure or pushed into relationships they are not ready for. This pressure comes from multiple sources, particularly peers and social media.
When friends enter relationships at a young age, being single can feel abnormal or isolating. In response to this pressure, some students rush into relationships simply to avoid feeling left out. These relationships are often based on attention rather than genuine connection, which can lead to dependence.
Additionally, the constant display of couples on social media reinforces the idea that dating is the norm. Platforms like Instagram or TikTok present a curated version of teen romance, featuring picture-perfect couples and grand gestures, often without context. As a result, students compare their real lives to unrealistic portrayals and feel discouraged when they cannot relate to them.
Pop culture further promotes these expectations. For example, movies like the Netflix original “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and shows like Amazon Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” which ran for three seasons, depict teenage couples who form unrealistically deep emotional connections.
Surrounded by these narratives, teens believe they will find “the one” before graduating high school. When that assumption goes unfulfilled, they worry that they are falling behind. This mindset can be especially harmful during a period already marked by insecurity and self-discovery.
When friends enter relationships at a young age, being single can feel abnormal or isolating.
Dating pressure can have serious consequences for mental health. Students who do not receive romantic attention may begin to question their attractiveness or self-worth. Over time, this can lead to anxiety, insecurity and a distorted sense of identity.
This pressure does not affect all teens equally. Girls often face harsher judgment, being criticized for dating too much or not enough, according to the National Library of Medicine. Students of color may feel additional pressure due to Eurocentric beauty standards that dominate the media and social platforms.
Gender and sexuality further shape these experiences. Girls are often pressured to seek validation through relationships, while boys may consider dating a measure of social status. Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ students may avoid dating altogether, fearing judgment or a lack of acceptance.
The belief that dating is a milestone also fosters unhealthy expectations.
ILLUSTRATION BY MARIAH ALLEN
When relationships are regarded as achievements, students may feel compelled to have them. This mindset reduces dating to a checklist item rather than a meaningful choice.
Schools can help shift this narrative by deepening students’ understandings of healthy relationships. This topic can be addressed in health classes or special lunchtime workshops.
The national organization One Love offers curricula and classroom education materials that teach students to recognize unhealthy dating behaviors. Likewise, the New Jersey-based PowerBack Program, with which LHS partners, educates juniors on the different types of teen dating abuse and empowers them to help end it.
Romantic relationships should complement teens’ lives rather than consume them. Instead of viewing dating as a requirement, teens should focus on developing their own identities. For instance, academics, friendships, hobbies and personal goals all provide fulfillment without the emotional risks of rushed relationships.
Real relationships take time. Every student grows at their own pace, and romantic experiences do not determine maturity. By challenging unrealistic expectations, teens can reclaim their priorities to focus on becoming the best versions of themselves.
