The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996                 TAG: 9606280043
SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E11  EDITION: FINAL 
COLUMN: Teenspeak 
SOURCE: BY JOI CHISOLM, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK 
                                            LENGTH:   50 lines

SHOULD TEENS HAVE LONG-TERM ROMANCES?

MANY TEENAGERS believe that teenage guys aren't mature enough to love and be in long-term relationships.

But don't tell Chad Scott that.

Scott, a 1996 graduate of Wilson High School in Portsmouth, says he found love after a year of being involved with his girlfriend.

Love is, Scott said, ``always desiring to be around her when she is not there and, when it is time for her to leave, feeling hurt.''

However, Scott was in the minority opinion in a recent Teenspeak discussion about teenagers and serious relationships. In the discussion, held during The Virginian Pilot's 10th annual Summer Minority Journalism Workshop, most students believed teenagers aren't emotionally ready for a long-term relationship.

``Most long-term relationships last about two to three years,'' said Brandon Lockhart, 15, a rising junior at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach. ``Teenagers are not ready for a serious relationship. Relationships are way too long. Sometimes I get bored with the same girl.''

Some students believed teenagers are too fickle and shouldn't try serious relationships.

``Teenage relationships are like clothes,'' said Pamela Sarian, 15, a rising junior at Green Run High School in Virginia Beach. ``You keep trying on more until you find the one you actually like and can fit.''

Matisa Holden, 16, of Maury High in Norfolk said: ``No one is really serious. Teenage relationships are like games. Only a few percent actually end up happy enough to enter a marriage.''

But one rising junior said some teenagers could handle a long-term romantic relationship.

``Relationships depend upon the maturity of the person involved and what he or she expects out of the relationship,'' said Princess Anne High School student Kelmin Poston. MEMO: Joi Chisolm is a 16-year-old rising senior at I.C. Norcom High

School in Portsmouth ILLUSTRATION: Color photo on page E1

Randy Vasquez...

Photos

Brandon Lockhart...

Matisa Holden...

Chad Scott...

Gerri Ashe... by CNB