High school offers endless possibilities to experience romantic relationships, but do these relationships last?
Through each stage of life we get the opportunity to be in a committed relationship with romantic partners. With new life experiences do our attitudes towards dating change as we move from childhood into adulthood?
This article delves deep into relationship dynamics in high school and answers questions around the possibility of these relationships lasting.
- What Percent Of High School Relationships Last?
- Will My High School Relationship Last?
- What Are The Odds Of Marrying Your High School Sweetheart?
- How Long Does The Average High School Relationship Last?
- Do High School Relationships Last In College?
- Why High School Sweethearts Have The Strongest Relationships
- How To Make A High School Relationship Last
- High School Sweetheart Statistics
- Related High School Relationship Questions
What Percent Of High School Relationships Last?
Less than 2 percent of high school relationships last. Most high school relationships last between 12 and 18 months. Only 25% of high school sweethearts last after graduation and make it to marriage. According to Men’s Divorce, 54 percent of married high school couples end up in divorce. This shows how unlikely high school sweethearts will end up getting married and settling down.
Will My High School Relationship Last?
Most high school relationships do not last very long. High school relationships tend to last anywhere from a few months to a year. Most high school relationships end after graduation, and those that make it to marriage, unfortunately, have a high divorce rate, bringing the success rate to under 2%.
What Are The Odds Of Marrying Your High School Sweetheart?
The odds of marrying your highschool sweetheart and staying married are very low. Even though 25 percent of people marry their high school sweetheart, less than 2% of these marriages last. Most high school relationships end when couples graduate and go to college. So the likelihood for high school sweethearts is slim, and for those that do marry, their chances of surviving the marriage have even less favorable odds.
How Long Does The Average High School Relationship Last?
High school relationships tend to last longer as teens grow older and mature. According to a study published in NCBI in 2003, the average high school relationship lasts 14 months. Their findings showed that 12 to 13-year-olds tend to enjoy more casual group dating, and the average relationship lasts five months. Among 14 to 15-year-olds, it is eight months, and among 16 to 18-year-olds, steady romantic relationships typically last twenty months.
Do High School Relationships Last In College?
Only about 2 percent of high school relationships last. Most high school couples tend to end their relationship after graduation or soon after that. Long-distance relationships are hard, so the chances that your high school relationship will last in college are higher if you attend the same college. College students often find that their preferences will change as they meet new people and mature.
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Why High School Sweethearts Have The Strongest Relationships
The primary reason why high school sweethearts have the strongest relationships is that they have a shared history. A significant part of how relationships work is connecting at a deeper level with an understanding of each other’s histories.
Another reason these relationships last is high school students make significant decisions together. High school years come with a lot of growth, choosing career paths, figuring out likes and dislikes, etc. Even though not many high school teenage relationships last, teenage couples that get through this stage are bound to stand the test of time.
High school sweethearts watch each other grow and change through the years, and this ultimately adds to the connection they build. These long-term relationships are based on authenticity, a pivotal factor in lasting relationships.
The fact that both partners’ families are already familiar with each other contributes to the strength of these relationships. They are invested from the beginning, offer their support, and celebrate milestones, making your partner part of your family.
Having been together since teenagehood, you are able to maneuver life together while balancing your adult relationship with other parts of your life. You know how to spend time with this person and still be present for your other relationships, which is essential for a healthy relationship.
Another reason why such relationships last is the shared memories you have. And most of the most memorable and valuable memories are from the teenage years. These give the foundation a deeper meaning, providing a basis to fall back on when the relationship gets rocky.
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How To Make A High School Relationship Last
Here are ways to make a high school relationship last and thrive.
- Create Time for Each Other: Making time for your partner is vital in keeping the relationship alive and thriving. Spare time to go on dates, talk, and spend time together doing things you love.
- Invest in Other Relationships: Spending time with your partner is crucial to a lasting relationship; however, spending too much time might not be healthy for you. Spend time apart and invest in your other relationships; make friends, visit family, and connect with others. Independence and personal growth feed the relationship.
- Communication is Key: Communication helps you understand your significant other, build a deeper connection, and let each other into your struggles and accomplishments. Being open with your significant other builds trust, contributing to a lasting relationship.
- Be Empathetic: If you can smooth over your conflicts, your relationship will stand a high chance of lasting. Be empathetic towards your partner, let the small things go, and understand that they are as human as you are.
- Love Yourself: You cannot pour from an empty cup, so if you do not love and take care of yourself, you will not have enough love to give to your significant other. Keep pouring into your cup by investing in yourself, prioritizing self-care, and meeting your needs as a person.
- Develop Friendship: Being friends in a relationship is crucial as you understand your significant other better. You learn how to agree and disagree fairly and give the other space to point out their views and opinions. With that, you are able to validate their perspective and encourage them, contributing to the health of your relationship.
- Be True to Yourself: The worst mistake you can make in a relationship is changing to suit your partner’s needs and wants. Be honest about the things you like and those that you don’t. Stay true to your values, interests, hobbies, and needs.
- Be Positive: If you have a negative attitude towards your relationship, it is bound to fail. Keep a positive mind that you will last and match your effort into the relationship. That way, you are mentally prepared to resolve conflicts and keep the relationship healthy.
Watch this video below where two high school sweethearts share their advice on how to keep a long term relationship:
High School Sweetheart Statistics
According to Daniel Dashnaw, a couples therapist, high school sweethearts that get married while still teens have about a 54% chance of their relationship lasting. Those that wait until they are 25 to get married have a 78% chance of lasting for 10 years and above.
Daniels also highlights that only 19% of high school American couples attend college, with only 1 out of 5 high school sweethearts getting to college. Less than 2% of high school sweethearts ever earn a college degree. 14% of couples met in high school.
The data on high school relationships is limited, and the available information is not 100 percent accurate. This is because most of the data collection methods used are biased toward claims about marriage, therefore, do not give a precise picture of the situation.
But even with the inaccurate data, the fact that high school relationships can last remains true, as it depends on the two people involved.
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Related High School Relationship Questions
How Long Do Middle School Relationships Last?
Relationships in middle school are usually more casual relationships and do not often include steady dating. However, towards the end of middle school, 13-year-old teens might start more meaningful relationships. These tend to last a few months. Most middle school relationships end when teens move to high school. This may be due to moving to different schools, meeting new people, and developing new interests. There is no standard for how long middle school relationships last, as the success or failure varies from one relationship.
How Long Do Relationships Last At 14?
Most 14-year-olds have shorter relationships, lasting less than 5 months. Younger teens are still trying to understand who they are and what they like. Dating will likely be more casual, short-term relationships, and group dating will be more common. Other factors that may affect how long a relationship lasts at 14 include the parents’ relationship, maturity, and socioeconomic status.
Can High School Love Last Forever?
High school love can last forever, but this would need equal effort from both parties to ensure communication, empathy, trust, growth, and commitment, all essential for lasting relationships. That said, only about 2% of high school relationships last to marriage. However, there are several beautiful stories of high school sweethearts lasting forever.
What Are The Chances Of Marrying Your First Girlfriend?
The chances of marrying your first girlfriend depends on how old you are when you start dating. The older you are when you fall in love, the higher the chances of marrying them. Couples who marry younger face a greater risk of a future divorce. A study by a dating site found that 25% of the people in their survey married their first love, but the age when they met was not measured.
Do High School Sweethearts Get Back Together?
High school sweethearts do sometimes get back together, and some of them make it to marriage. Often this is because there is a familiarity, and they find a pure bond between couples that becomes a foundation for a lasting relationship.
What Percent Of Marriages End In Divorce?
Although the divorce rate seems to be dropping, according to Family Law Attorneys, almost half of all marriages in the United States end in divorce or separation. In the United States, 41 percent of all first marriages end in divorce. 60% of second marriages end in divorce, and 73% of third marriages end in divorce.