Falling in love in adolescence

Theoretically speaking, the so-called first love can happen at any age; however, the vast majority of people experience their first true love in adolescence. Adolescent infatuation is certainly an exciting new experience that we will probably remember throughout our lives.

Such infatuation greatly affects our daily functioning. 

Love relationships in adolescence are associated with intense emotional arousal and fantasies, especially in cases where the one we are in love with does not reciprocate our emotions. According to research, high school students spend between as many as five and eight hours a week thinking about their current or desired partner. How and when to concentrate on learning in addition to that?!

Romantic relationships in adolescence are very important since, similar to friendship, they satisfy one of the basic human needs – that of belonging to another human being. In addition, they contribute to the development of a young person’s identity, self-esteem, learning social skills and roles, and (in their happy form) are a source of happiness and satisfaction. Adolescent romantic relationships are much more often a source of strong emotions than relationships with friends, parents, siblings. Romantic relationships, as close friendship, apart from being a source of happiness and contentment, can also be a source of negative experiences and emotions. 

Unhappy adolescent infatuation can be very painful and can affect all areas of a young person’s daily functioning (school obligations, family, friends, leisure activities, etc.). Girls, compared to boys, are more affected by the inability to achieve a romantic relationship. 

Adults, unfortunately, very often do not take adolescent infatuation “seriously”, they have a need to belittle, criticize, or they need to give excessive advice. They often tell their children that they are still too young to feel such “adult” feelings, that the chosen person is not good for them, that they are not an appropriate couple, and they even try to get their child to stop seeing the person they are in love with. Of course, all of that is wrong. Wise adults can offer an adolescent appropriate conversation, support and the feeling that he / she is not lonely, that there will always be people around him / her who will love and accept him / her as they really are. “First love” is only the first lesson a young person must learn, but like the alphabet, it is at the core of all its future relationships.