Break-Ups Are Common
But before you get too worried about all these couples breaking up, know that it's perfectly normal. It would be boring if everyone paired up in fifth grade and stayed together forever.
When you're a tween (between a kid and a teen), you get to try different things and imagine what it will be like someday when you are older. That's why it's OK if you're like Olivia, 9, and you don't want to be part of a couple just yet. "I'm still young," she said.
So true! Olivia, like most of the kids we surveyed, thought 13 or older would be the right age to be part of a couple. Of kids who said they hadn't had a boyfriend or girlfriend yet, 67% said they'd like to be part of a couple someday.
Most Choose Marriage . . . Someday
And looking way down the road, almost 90% of kids said they wanted to get married in the future. The top reason (54%) was that they wanted to have children and be a family. Lots of kids (33%) also said they wanted someone who would stick with them in good and bad times.
For those who said they didn't want to get married, here's why: It sounds boring (30%); forever is too long (29%); they didn't think they would ever find someone; or they didn't think they could ever pick just one person (16%).
But most kids wanted to get married and not just for a little while. About 85% said they would like to stay married for 50 years or more. That's 50 Valentine's Days with the same person — whoa!
But for now, how can kids celebrate Valentine's Day with the people they like? Lots of girls and guys said they'd use their cell phone to show they cared. Nearly half said they'd put their boyfriend's or girlfriend's photo on their cell phone. Others said they'd assign that person a special ringtone (21%) or text the person constantly (20%).
Kids were even willing to do some of the silly, romantic things couples sometimes do, like give each other cute nicknames (32%), write love poems or letters (18%), or wear matching outfits (12%).
But the No. 1 answer was to put two straws in the same drink and slurp together. What a sweet way to celebrate Valentine's Day! What will it be — chocolate milk, pickle juice and milk, or a bubbly, fizzy root beer float?