Do you believe dating in high school is the key to happiness as a teenager?

I don't think it is 'the' key to happiness. I do think that teen years are the time where you learn what kind of person you are, what floats your boat so to speak. I had a boyfriend in high school but he was my friend first, I actually dated him twice. All in all, the relationship lasted a year the first time and a partial year the second time, but I knew I wasn't going to marry him, which is why it fizzled out when it did. On the other hand, my best friend met her husband in high school and they have now been together for 10 years. She was just about 17 when they met each other. I think that your mom has a point. My own older daughter came to me once and asked me what I thought of this guy she was dating. He was being weird, stalking her, calling 20 times a day, showing up when she would go somewhere like to the mall or somewhere to eat with her friends after she had told him she didn't want him to come! She asked me if that was normal for a boyfriend and I told her NO lol. She did eventually kick him to the curb, which was a good decision, but it had to be her choice, know what I mean? Back to me, I never thought I was in love after 2 days, and if I didn't feel romantically towards somebody, I wouldn't even DATE them, even if they wanted me to! I think my shortest relationship I've ever had in my life was almost a year, the longest was my first marriage, which was 7 years. I expect this one to be my longest, I intend to hit at least 40 years with my husband, maybe even 50. I've always enjoyed being in love, but you have to remember that for a lot of teenagers, they don't have the right expectations of anything, from how relationships should be to how much you have to give of yourself to have a successful one. Younger people (I was too) are understandably egocentric, you simply don't realize what is involved outside of what benefits you or makes you happy. I'm sure that's why it seems like so many people in high school date and break up as often as they change clothing trends and hair colors. Sorry to break it to you but some adults continue this teen trend their whole lives. Other people never lived like this, I kind of turn my nose up at it myself. Have you just not met anybody you consider interesting or you don't like the idea of dating?

I don't think any one factor is the key to being happy as a teenager. Just like as an adult happiness has many factors. For example, you could be a happy but poor artist or a rich successful internet mogul but if you're not happy being an internet mogul you're not going to be happy regardless of how much money you have. On the other hand, I do think it's a good idea to try out relationships of a romantic nature before you get into anything too serious. Dating when you're a teen is fun. Don't expect to marry someone. Just go out and learn what sort of person you like.

It can be a good experience! But there is nothing wrong with staying away from dating until you are finished with school!

LOL I think that you have to do what you feel is best for you. If you have the time to date and want to then do it, if you have your sights on education then stick with that.

I don't think it is THE key to hapiness, although it can maybe help.. Being liked by people is always fun :) Hope I will be popular next year xD That there will be people that will say something when I come by :D But I don't think dating in school is stupid, although too much can maybe distract you and you can loose your focus on studying :D Think there is a balance somewhere between dating and studying ^^ Hope I will find it :D have a good day..