Is Having a Boyfriend Embarrassing?

By Bradon Koo Dec. 10, 2025

“I have never felt pressured to start dating or act differently because of the dating lives of others. Women are often judged by the morality of their actions towards their boyfriend. On the contrary, I notice that men are often praised no matter what they do in a relationship. Still, I believe that high school relationships are worth it because they offer experiences and personal growth that can shape healthier relationships later in life,” Sophomore Shailo Shamoeil said.

“A lot of people, including me, are not embarrassed of having a boyfriend and would post him on social media, often to show off their significant other. Women are judged on the character of the person they date, and it feels like men are praised on the sole fact that they have a girlfriend. Being in a high school relationship can help you grow and understand people better, as well as help narrow down your ideal type in the future,” Sophomore Ria Cronin said.

“I do not think having a boyfriend is embarrassing. I think social media makes relationships seem perfect, especially since people usually post the best parts. In reality, relationships can be more tumultuous than people might think. I also think men and women have similar standards, but have different ways of getting into relationships. From my experience, women often expect the man to be more bold and make the first move,” Freshman Cailyn Chu said.

“I would be happy to be shown off as someone’s boyfriend as it should be something to be proud of. Personally, I try to keep my relationship private because I do not need others’ opinions in my relationship. Even when people find out, they are usually happy for me. While people feel peer-pressured into entering a relationship, others may stay in relationships longer than they should because they are scared to get hurt or to hurt others. At the end of the day, learning from your experiences and being thankful for your partner is the most important,” Junior Kavin Kwak said.

"For me, having a boyfriend is not embarrassing at all; he is a therapist, a personal cheerleader, a child, a chef, a genius, a dork, an athlete and even a personal wallet—all in one amazing human. He might do stupid, silly things once in a while, but at the end of the day I could not ask for anyone better to spend my time with,” Senior Cameron Carpio said.

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About the Contributors

Brandon Koo

staff writer

Brandon Koo is a sophomore at Leland High School and a staff writer for The Charger Account. He can be found on the tennis courts practicing, working out, or listening to R&B in his room. Brandon also enjoys going on sunset walks or taking bike rides on the hills.