Recently, a 13-year-old boy wrote to us expressing his heartbreak over a relationship that did not workout. Lately, 13 has become an age, where teenagers have become serious about relationships and undying love. Is this a sign of changing times?
“My crush asked me out on my 13th birthday. He was just a year older than me. We’re still dating, and I adore him! Given a chance, I would want to spend all my time with him! We talk to each other everyday and eat lunch in school together. We’ve had our share of fights, but I know that we’re both very serious about this relationship,” says Priya (name changed).
Another 13-year-old Rohan (name changed) gushes, “I’ve had many of my firsts being a 13-year-old. I took my girlfriend out to a movie recently and we had such a good time! I’m also learning a lot from her. We’re still going strong!”
Many teens today start dating as early as 11. They don’t understand that commitment calls for a lot of emotional and mental strength.
“Young teens have become way too mature these days, much before they actually need to be. They’re pressurised into ‘liking’ or ‘dating’ someone because they think it is cool to do so and they will be accepted as popular,” says Krystelle John, a 16-year-old student at Mount Carmel college.
Young teens aren’t mature enough to handle relationships, and when it fails they sync into depression. This can in turn lead to suicidal thoughts.
Says psychologist Ali Khwaja, “We should encourage the young generation to befriend people of the opposite sex. If they wish to spend time alone with them, we should allow it with indirect supervision. Children want to act like adults when they haven’t even reached puberty yet. If parents can make their children open up to them, then teenagers will never be too emotionally affected if the relationship doesn’t work out for them.”
The writer is a Class 11 student