For those who celebrated Singles Awareness Day instead of Valentine’s Day last Wednesday, it can be easy to feel like everyone else is in a relationship. But how many students actually spent their holiday with a significant other?

To find out, the Bull’s Eye surveyed 225 Diamond Bar High School students regarding their current and previous relationship status. A relationship was defined as exclusive romantic involvement with another individual in which both parties consent.  

Out of those surveyed, only 16.4 percent are currently in a relationship. Furthermore, 52.4 percent have never been in a romantic relationship. This percentage was significantly higher for freshmen; 62.9 percent of freshmen have never been in a relationship, compared with 52.3 percent of sophomores, 46.0 percent of juniors and 48.2 percent of seniors. Percentages between genders were relatively similar, with 52.9 percent of guys lacking past relationship experience, compared to 52.1 percent of girls.

“[Being single], you’re able to be more comfortable around your surroundings, and you’re able to express your feelings more and act like yourself more,” freshman Cathleen Chen said.  

Six and a half  percent of freshmen, 18.2 percent of sophomores, 17.5 percent of juniors and 25 percent of seniors are currently dating someone. Additionally, girls were 18.9 percent more likely than guys to be currently involved in a relationship.

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 18 percent of teens nationally are currently in a relationship, slightly higher than the DBHS average. However, the 47.6 percent of DBHS students with past relationship experience is significantly higher than the 35 percent nationwide.

The average number of total relationships experienced per DBHS student is slightly more than one for all classes. When asked about what they considered to be an appropriate age to start dating, answers ranged from as young as 10 to as old as 25. The average age that students deemed to be an appropriate age was 16.6; on average, freshmen answered 15.8, sophomores answered 16.9, juniors answered 17.3 and seniors answered 16.6. Once again, results between genders were similar. Guys gave the average age of 16.7 and girls 16.6.

“I think the appropriate age to date is when most people consider you as an adult… teen dating [is] sort of an unrealistic perspective on actual dating,” junior Pearl Choi said. “As teenagers, we have crazy hormones going on, and we have this mentality to try to find the next best thing to make us seem more popular. Typically, high school relationships are short-lived.”

In addition, multiple people declined to put a specific age, writing answers such as “it depends” or “whenever they feel they’re ready.”

“I feel like there’s no appropriate age to start dating. You have to be…really sure in yourself, and I feel like you have to be mentally mature for you to start dating. If you’re immature and irresponsible, and you don’t take care of [the] person you’re dating, then it doesn’t really work out at any age,” junior Karen Zheng said.  

The survey included 225 students, with 121 females and 104 males.

Hopefully this data goes to demonstrate that if you did spend your Valentine’s Day alone, you can rest assured knowing that you are not the only one. Whether you are living a fairytale with someone you love, completely complacent being independent or  just waiting for the right person to come along, what is most important is that you do what is best for yourself and are able to make the most of your time in high school.

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