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Originally published January 21, 2025

   Middle school relationships don’t last very long due to the students' age, but what do other kids think? The students are already dating from a young age, and we just need to know, are they going too far? 

   Public display of affection (PDA) is a big thing in school, and some students don't really care about that. There have been many warnings and PDA videos to students about not showing PDA during school. 

   “It’s a very controversial topic, because you never know what the extents of the relationship are towards,” eighth- grader Elaina Gould said. “You can’t be for sure if the relationships are positive or if they’re just like, toxicity and like, trying to lean on somebody.” 

   A lot of students don’t have boundaries for their relationships. Either way, some students have an opinion on if they think boundaries should be set during school. It can affect everyone in different ways, like making them feel grossed out, lonely, bothered, annoyed, or maybe they don’t really care. 

   “Especially in school, I would say no hiding and stuff, because I feel like that’s weird, especially as 13-14 year olds,” sixth-grader Karsen McCarthy said. “Just keep it, keep it chill, especially during school.”

   In addition, students see relationships throughout the day, but does it affect MBMS students? From a Mt. Baker Publications survey, 65 students see relationships everyday, and only 4 students never see any. 

   “I don’t really care about them, because they’re just like, that’s  their problem, what they’re doing with their life or whatever,” seventh-grader Jacob Sims said. “I don’t really pay attention to it.” 

   Parents also have a say in these relationships, and Gould explains what she thinks coming from her perspective if she was the parent. She said it depends on how the parent would raise their kids, based on their relationships in the past. 

   “It really depends on the type of parent that you are, because if you’re somebody who has had a bad experience, you’re less likely to let your child date at such a young age,” Gould said. “But at the same time, I feel like that’s more of a learning process, because if you start now, then you’re going to be able to like, not get better at being able to like, cope with being around another person like that.” 

   Some students can have a negative impact on their life and education from relationships. It can distract some people or stress them out, which can cause them to be more lazy on their school work.

   “I mean, when I was talking to someone, I definitely felt more stressed about it, especially because the person got really mad at me, like, a lot,” McCarthy said. 

  Being in a relationship can affect people not necessarily with grades, but for their minds, it can take a toll. Some students even find it easier than others to end a relationship with people than others. 

   “But I think that’s more so because I’ve been, like, a stronger student, just with consistency and working through things, because like, I know how to deal with stuff like that," Gould said.