In middle and high school, romantic couples begin to form. As peers start paring off, some young people remain single and wish they weren’t. If your 10to20 is feeling like a member of the lonely hearts club, research offers some important and reassuring news: it’s friendships—not romantic relationships—that are the strongest predictor of future romantic satisfaction.
In this Dear Teenagers video, I explain these findings and why, in light of them, teens have good reason to be optimistic about what’s ahead. You can watch this video with your teen, share it with them, or use it as a guide for talking with them about teenage relationships.
For more on talking to teens about romantic relationships, parents and caregivers can check out this Untangling Family Life video.
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