“Do you have a date yet?” a junior asked his friend “Nope,” he replied. This conversation could be heard in the hallway right by my first hour and somehow I knew that at least a dozen kids were in the same boat, having similar conversations with their friends. High School is full of pressures but most people don’t realize how dating is one of them. 

While most teenagers are often reminded not to fall into peer pressure and are continuously urged to stay away from bad influences, most people don’t talk about the immense amount of pressure there is on having a relationship at a young age. 

During this time of year, the weather gets cooler, football season is active, and homecoming is just around the corner. The time of year when people are motivated to be in a relationship typically starts near the beginning of fall when social events start. 

“There is definite pressure to be in a relationship right now because of homecoming, people act like you absolutely have to have a date or there is no point but that isn’t true,” said Torri Bridges. 

You tend to fit into one of two categories, single or taken.

For some teens, seeing friends and peers in a relationship can make them feel isolated. They may feel social pressure to find somebody to spend their time with.   

“I think it’s part of being a high school student, you rush into things because you are at the age where it seems like the time you are supposed to be dating,” sophomore Lauren Maxwell said. 

Social media also plays a big role in dating pressure. Apps such as Instagram and Snapchat are constantly flooded with pictures of couples. 

It’s important to know that you shouldn’t feel rushed into doing anything just because it seems like you are the only person not doing it. 

“Just live your life, it’s okay to not go by what society wants you to do,” senior Lauren Spakowski said.