First Comes Love

American Demographics, June 1, 2003 by John Fetto

Byline: JOHN FETTO

Who says young love can't last? The truth is that slightly more than 1 in 10 teenagers (12 percent) are currently in a relationship with someone they have been dating for more than a year, according to a survey of 4,600 teens (ages 12 to 17) conducted last year by New York City-based market research firm Mediamark Research, Inc. And those who aren't in long-term relationships are certainly not lacking in the romance department. More than half of teens (57 percent) say they regularly go out on dates, and a third say they have a steady boyfriend or girlfriend. Interestingly, girls are significantly more likely to say they have a special someone than are boys: 38 percent of teen girls say they have a boyfriend, compared with only 29 percent of teen boys who say they have a girlfriend. This discrepancy may be due to denial (or embarrassment) on the part of the boys, but it could also be due to wishful thinking on the part of the girls. When asked about their goals in life, 83 percent of teenage girls say they want to get married, compared with 73 percent of teen boys who say the same.

RELATIONSHIP STRESS

Fifty-three percent of teens who are involved with a boyfriend or a girlfriend say their relationship causes them stress.

PERCENT OF TEENAGERS (AGES 12 TO 17) WHO SAY THE FOLLOWING IS A CAUSE OF STRESS IN THEIR LIFE: