When someone thinks of Valentine’s Day, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Chocolates? Flowers? Love? For over 12,519,369 teenagers it’s the last of the three. In a recent survey conducted by Pew Research Center, about 30% of teens were recorded to be in some kind of romantic relationship.

Being in a relationship as a teenager can be beneficial in some ways. According to Child Bank, teens in a romantic relationship are more likely to have to have higher confidence and self esteem. It also helps with social confrontations.

“It’s a real world skill,” freshman Katy Amodeo said. “I feel it can help [improve communication] so you’re not stressed when you talk to someone else.”

However, being in a relationship is not for everyone. Although dating someone has some benefits, it also has disadvantages. Huffington Post has discovered that dating during teen years can distract one from their studies, causing a decline in productivity. It can hinder motivation and cause lower levels of academic success.

“[Dating someone] is almost like this idea of a three-legged stool,” junior Zoё Semersky said. “There’s you, your partner and the relationship. They can’t be out of balance.”