DATING MYTHS
MYTH: People just fall in love.
REALITY: Love - and falling in love - doesn't just happen. All kinds of factors are at work including (and some might say especially) how ready you are mentally for love to happen.
MYTH: Relationships are easy.
REALITY: Not much in life is harder than maintaining a relationship; it takes communication, sacrifice, and a lot of patience to keep a relationship healthy.
MYTH: He/ She may not be perfect but you can change him/ her with a little work.
REALITY: Real love means accepting your partner in all their perfections and in all their flaws. If you find yourself constantly wishing he were taller or she was more popular, maybe you're with your partner for the wrong reasons.
MYTH: I can show my partner how I really feel by having sex... even though I don't want to.
REALITY: Sex is not a bargaining chip or a way to prove your love. And someone who would pressure you in any way is certainly not someone who loves you.
MYTH: If you break up, you'll never find someone else.
REALITY: Life is long and, right now - in high school - your world is fairly small. The number of people you will meet and experiences you'll have are limitless, so don't assume this one person is the only one for you.
MYTH: You're automatically cooler if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend.
REALITY: If you pin your popularity hopes on being coupled up, you're not being fair to yourself or your partner. Relationships aren't a means to an ends - like social climbing - but should be meaningful.
Now you tell us…what are the major dating myths you’ve heard in your school? Write in and tell us – if you’ve heard it, chances are someone out there believes it. Help us clear the air!
This page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.