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As Gisele spoke the words “I Do” to her now husband Bobby, her dating history flashed before her eyes. She thought about all the times she had been hurt, all the secrets she had told, and all the lying it took to hide the relationship from her parents. Was it all worth it? Sure at the time, she thought it was a great idea, but now looking back on it she realizes the mistakes she made. Gisele’s mind began to wander, would Bobby hurt her the same way Taylor did? She began to doubt her marriage and her feelings.

Seventy-six percent of teens say they have dated in high school; yet only 27% of those students actually marry their high school sweetheart. The controversy of dating in high school has become an epic battle between parents and teens. Teens obviously want to have relationships, but why date? Where does the drive to date come from? Our wise Math teacher, John Godfrey, says the influence comes from pop culture and peer pressure.

One has to admit his observations aren’t without proof. Television shows convey scripts filled with stories about who is hooking up with whom. And some of the situations are less than moral, with shows like Secret Life of the American Teenager, containing dramas about out-of-wedlock sex and unplanned pregnancies. Even movie themes revolve around high school girls attempting to find love with the popular boys. One can’t help but wonder if teens are programmed to think that remaining single in high school is abnormal.

Mr. Godfrey believes that teens today don’t look at the big picture. He said that every time he considered dating a girl he would think to himself first “Can I see myself marrying this person?” Teens might argue saying the relationship it’s not that serious, and that they are not looking to get married. So if you’re not looking to get married then why date? Of course the answers says Godfrey are in written in God’s word, the Bible.

“Matthew 6:33 tells us, ‘ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ When we seek God first everything else will come into play,” says Mr. Godfrey. “God promises that as long as we seek him first, other things will be given to us.”
Still the question remains, Does dating in high school affect your marriage/ adult dating life? Mr. Godfrey says most definitely. “Every experience affects how you will process things in the future. When you have a bad experience, and someone hurts you, you will try to protect yourself next time and not open up to someone else.”

Mr. Godfrey warns that dating in high school adds on to our “baggage”. “Baggage” is something that you have to carry with you for the rest of your life, through every relationship you have.”
Mr. Godfrey added that there is only one person you can give your ‘first kiss’ too. “You will remember that kiss for the rest of your life, because there are some things that can never be returned,” he said.

Fortunately for those who’ve made some unwise decisions in the past, there’s no time like the present to give God your dating life, and seek him first.

Below, some of the TC students weighed in on their dating opinions concerning dating.

“Experience means nothing if it comes with regrets and hurt. Guard your heart and do not leave it out in the open.” - Freshman, Alysia Warda

“I want to be older the next time I date, and also I want to put God in the center of the relationship.” -Junior, Ashlee Burnam

“What I learned from my last relationship is that the girl is always right.” -Sophomore, Schyler Johnson

“Teen dating is fun as long as it’s within the law. Listen to your heart when he’s calling for you, listen to your heart there’s nothing else you can do.” -Senior, Kyron Loving