Many see high school as “the best years” of their life, with the prospect of sports and friends and varied activities enjoyed with little responsibility. This is often a time when teens explore and find out who they are as people.

One aspect often experienced in high school is the first taste of romance. Romance, defined as “a feeling of excitement or mystery associated with love,” can often be a positive growth experience, but it can be a dangerous prospect if it happens to go sour.

Relationships in high school are often beneficial as they can influence teens about what they might want in future relationships. It is also not completely crazy to think that the person one ends up spending their life with goes to the same high school as they do.

While marrying your “high school sweetheart” may seem like a dream scenario, it is unlikely. A Penn State University survey showed that only about 17 percent of high school relationships end in marriage.

Although relationships in high school can be beneficial, like everything else, they have their pros and cons.

The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health studied thousands of middle- and high-school students and discovered that more than 80 percent of teens aged 14 or older are actively involved in — or have previously been involved in — romantic relationships. It also showed that in a majority of these relationships, the parents were aware and the teens had made others aware of their status as a couple.

Another study conducted by researchers at Child Trends showed what teens really thought about relationships: Both genders agreed that a trusting and loving relationship is important for one to thrive. Most teens also agreed that the relationship should enjoy a good standing in the public eye.

A Santa Fe High junior who wishes to remain anonymous said, “A lot of couples now believe that they need public opinion and almost approval of their relationship, but I disagree,” she said. “If you really want a relationship to work, then that does not really matter, and there is more to it than how it is seen by the public.”

Another junior said, “Relationships are more about who the person actually is rather than the looks from the public. But I do understand where people are coming from when looking for approval from others.”

Another piece that teens commented on in the study was their relationship falling short of expectations. Many shared that they would have certain standards and would expect more from a relationship than they would actually receive. In addition, all groups surveyed believed that other aspects that fell short of expectations were cheating and violence.

It was also shown that most teens are negative about relationships as a whole, and in particular, teen girls appeared to have little faith in finding a caring and loving partner.

Another junior said, “I feel that people in general will go for someone if they have knowledge that they like them back, and will drop their standards because they want a relationship, and that is why they don’t last. That’s why people must be patient.”