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 By Jack Lepiarz Feb. 14, 2006 Apparently today is the "day of love." Couples celebrate it by buying each other chocolate and flowers, and enjoying a romantic evening. How do I celebrate the day of love? I read the morning announcements in a French accent reminiscent of the obnoxious skunk from Looney Tunes (I remember the name, I just don't know how to spell it). I digress however. I would like to use this article to talk about teen romance, or the otherwise lack of it. Every person has a different romantic experience during their teenage years. Some people find long-lasting relationships that they stay in for two or three years. I know one young woman who went four consecutive years without being single. I on the other hand, haven't ever been in a relationship that lasted more than two or three weeks. On a similar note, I know guys that never stay in a relationship, and instead prefer to live life one one-night-stand at a time. I saw one boy that I recognized as a 9th grader in the supermarket a little while ago. He was holding a long stemmed rose in his hand sheepishly as he examined various heart-shaped boxes of candy. As I passed him, I got to thinking about the whole concept of teenage romance, and the whole futility of the endeavor. And I hate to sound like a downer like that, so I'll explain that a little. In all reality, high school romances rarely make it any farther than senior year. People go off to college and separate. They meet new people and become enthralled with their new friends. Unless both members of a particular couple go to the same (or a nearby) college or end up staying at home, chances are that they will be over and done with by November of freshman year. Now, that is not to say that high school romances are pointless. Far from it. The romances that we have in high school shape what kind of qualities and characteristics that we look for in a member of the opposite sex. I'll use me for an example. In one of my earliest relationships (or relationsh**, as Dane Cook so eloquently puts it), I was what many people might call used. This, followed by another sour relationship left me with a bad taste in my mouth regarding romance altogether. As a result, I tend not to trust people with whom I get into a relationship (or people in general, but that's a whole different story). That was just my experience, and how it affected me. Other people can have different reactions. Many teens look for something different in a significant other (or "lovah" as many of my peers have taken to calling it). Most, and I don't hesitate in saying this at all, look for physical attraction. Physical attractiveness is one of the first things that a teen will notice. Fortunately, not all teens are stupid enough to stop there. Some will rule out people that they can't stand to be around. I've learned that not all teenagers do that, because not all of them can figure out the simple concept that they hate the person that they are involved with. Everyone obviously has the whole mantra of saying "I like someone smart, funny, attractive..." You get the picture. But when it comes down to it, a very small amount of teens actually know what they look for in someone of the opposite sex. ------------ About the author: Jack Lepiarz is a senior at Madison High School. Born in Waco, Texas, he lived with the Big Apple Circus for much of his early childhood, eventually moving to Madison, New Jersey, where he now resides. Although he is often described as stubborn and egotistical, he tries to keep an open-mind towards new ideas and treat people the way he would like to be treated. Email: Jackwuzhere42@aol.com Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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