Why is it important to consider the impact of romantic relationships on the lives of young people?

Romantic relationships are a common topic of conversation, a significant source of preoccupation and rumination, and a major cause of strong emotions in adolescence.

Young people say that romantic relationships and experiences - whether real, potential or fantasised - account for many of their strong emotions both positive (e.g., excitement, happiness), and negative (e.g. jealousy, anger, distress). The negative emotions associated with romantic relationships can't be avoided simply by not getting involved in one.

Young people (particularly girls) spend a lot of time thinking and talking about romantic relationships, whether the focus is on past relationships, or potential future relationships, even when they are single. And young people who are not in a romantic relationship often say that not having a boyfriend/girlfriend is very stressful, particularly in early adolescence. In addition to having a major impact on a young person's day-to-day lives, romantic relationships impact significantly on their ongoing emotional and social development. They also lay the foundations for romantic relationships in adulthood.

While it is true that young people's romantic relationships tend to be shorter in duration than adult relationships, and typically involve less intimacy, attachment and commitment, they still play a very important role in adolescents' lives.