Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love, but for many high schoolers it feels more like a test on how much they can spend. Instead of focusing on connection and appreciation, teen couples often feel pressured to prove their feelings through expensive gifts. With social media constantly showing over the top, truly unrealistic, couple videos and luxury presents, it’s easy for high schoolers to feel like a simple gift is “not enough”.
“See me personally I wouldn’t have a problem if my boyfriend got me a simple gift for Valentine’s Day, but I do have friends that’d take it to heart,” said Brooklyn Currie, a freshman at BHS, “but if he didn’t get me something I wouldn’t be mad, just hold it against him.”
This shows that the expectation is there for couples to plan to give their significant others a gift.
For students who don’t have jobs or any extra money, these expectations can create stress, such as being judged by their partners or friends for not being able to afford something expensive. Social media has created a culture where people feel pressure to go over the top, even when it exceeds what they can realistically afford.
“I think social media does play a part,” said Taylor Chambers, a freshman at BHS, “look at that one trend/song about girlfriends saying they’d break up with their boyfriends if he didn’t get them a Lululemon jacket.”
Another factor is the expectation that gift buying falls more heavily on the males in the relationship. Many couples, not just teens, feel like it’s an unspoken belief/rule for the guy to plan, pay for a date while also buying a lavish gift which can add extra pressure.
For teen couples, Valentine’s Day should be about appreciation and effort, not financial pressure. When the focus of Valentine’s Day is away from the cost and more towards connection the holiday becomes more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone.
“At the end of the day if we only get to spend time together that’s all that matters,” said Brooklyn Currie, a freshman at BHS.
