by Trinity Griffin

Some teens allow their relationships to control their everyday life. Relationships, especially for teens, can be fun but also a source of stress. With some relationships there’s jealousy, arguing and commitment issues, which can make it difficult for students to focus on their school work.

Some students aren’t ready for a relationship. They may be forced by friends into a relationship that they aren’t ready to have.

According to Rose Welton, a writer who focuses on health and children’s growth and development, teenagers face strong pressure to date from peers. Some students already have enough pressure on them with trying to decide if they’re ready for a relationship, then they have to deal with their friends trying to pressure them to get into or stay in a relationship.

Whether it be a negative or positive outcome, some teens may think that their friends are helping and listen to their friends when they pressure them into a relationship. In the long run, friends are just hurting each other by making them do things they don’t want to do.

Some teens do well with pressure and make the right choice to not listen to their friends; they get into a relationship when they feel they are ready.

According to a 2006 survey by Teen Research Unlimited, 49 percent of 16-18 year-olds had been in a serious relationship, 24 percent of those felt pressured to date and 14 percent said that they would do anything to keep a boyfriend or girlfriend. Sixty-one percent said that they had a boyfriend or girlfriend who has made them feel bad or embarrassed about themselves.

Teens shouldn’t feel bad when they’re with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Even in public, this person should make you happy about yourself, not bad about yourself. You should want to date this person but also be willing to let that person go if he or she isn’t doing you any good.

Having a relationship during the school year won’t necessarily affect a person’s grades. Some students are able to handle the responsibility of having to do homework and still maintain a healthy relationship, but we still have those students who can’t handle that responsibility. If you think that you can handle the responsibility of the relationship, then by all means go ahead, but if you know that you aren’t ready, just wait.