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Journalism of Courage
Once upon a time, parenting teenagers meant navigating curfews, exam stress, and the occasional heartbreak over a high-school sweetheart. Today’s parents, however, are dealing with a far more complex emotional and digital terrain — one where the lines between friendship and romance blur, communication happens largely through screens, and new relationship terms like “situationships” are part of everyday teen vocabulary.
A situationship is essentially a romantic or emotional connection without clear labels or commitment. It’s more than friendship, but not quite a traditional relationship. The two people involved might text constantly, hang out, and even show affection, yet avoid defining what they are to each other.
In the teenage and young adult world, such arrangements have become increasingly common. Why? Because today’s teens are growing up in an environment where commitment feels risky, ambiguity is normalised, and emotional self-protection is often seen as strength.
When parents see their teen caught in a situationship, their first instinct is often frustration or worry. “Why can’t they just have a normal relationship?” they ask. But for many teens, the blurred boundaries make emotional sense. Here’s why:
Fear of rejection: Teens today face immense social pressure. Labelling a relationship can feel risky — what if it ends and everyone knows? Ambiguity feels safer and less exposing.
Emotional experimentation: Adolescence is a time for exploration. Teens are learning what they like, what hurts, and how to express affection. A situationship can feel like a low-stakes emotional experiment.
Influence of media: Modern media often romanticises casualness. From TikTok trends to streaming shows, “almost relationships” are portrayed as thrilling and dramatic. Teens naturally absorb and mimic what they see.
What parents can do
Many parents feel left behind by the pace of cultural change — the language, the apps, the shifting relationship norms. But understanding teenagers doesn’t mean becoming one of them; it means staying curious.
Ask questions. Read what they’re reading. Watch a show they enjoy — not to intrude, but to understand their world. So when your teen talks about someone they’re “kind of seeing,” resist the urge to panic. Stay calm, listen, and ask gentle questions. Beneath the slang and the screens, they’re still your child.
Above all, remember that while the vocabulary of love may have changed, the emotional needs of teenagers have not. They still crave acceptance, belonging, and love. They still want to be seen and understood.
As a parent, you may or may not approve of situationships — that’s a personal choice. But evolving and making the effort to understand your child’s emotional world is not just wise parenting; it’s an act of love.
