THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996 TAG: 9606280043
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Teenspeak
SOURCE: BY JOI CHISOLM, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: 50 lines
MANY TEENAGERS believe that teenage guys aren't mature enough to love and be in long-term relationships.
But don't tell Chad Scott that.
Scott, a 1996 graduate of Wilson High School in Portsmouth, says he found love after a year of being involved with his girlfriend.
Love is, Scott said, ``always desiring to be around her when she is not there and, when it is time for her to leave, feeling hurt.''
However, Scott was in the minority opinion in a recent Teenspeak discussion about teenagers and serious relationships. In the discussion, held during The Virginian Pilot's 10th annual Summer Minority Journalism Workshop, most students believed teenagers aren't emotionally ready for a long-term relationship.
``Most long-term relationships last about two to three years,'' said Brandon Lockhart, 15, a rising junior at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach. ``Teenagers are not ready for a serious relationship. Relationships are way too long. Sometimes I get bored with the same girl.''
Some students believed teenagers are too fickle and shouldn't try serious relationships.
``Teenage relationships are like clothes,'' said Pamela Sarian, 15, a rising junior at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach. ``You keep trying on more until you find the one you actually like and can fit.''
Matisa Holden, 16, of Maury High in Norfolk said: ``No one is really serious. Teenage relationships are like games. Only a few percent actually end up happy enough to enter a marriage.''
But one rising junior said some teenagers could handle a long-term romantic relationship.
``Relationships depend upon the maturity of the person involved and what he or she expects out of the relationship,'' said Princess Anne High School student Kelmin Poston. MEMO: Joi Chisolm is a 16-year-old rising senior at I.C. Norcom High
School in Portsmouth ILLUSTRATION: Color photo on page E1
Randy Vasquez...
Photos
Brandon Lockhart...
Matisa Holden...
Chad Scott...
Gerri Ashe... by CNB