Trexler 1
Karen Trexler
Mr. Brantley
English 1A
11/07/16
Boys Have Hearts Too!
The article “Gender and the Meanings of Adolescent Romantic Relationships: A Focus
on Boys,” by researchers Giordano, Longmore, and Manning of Bowling Green State University
suggests a perspective that examines experiences of both adolescent genders in a two-person
involvement in a romantic relationship. The article examines the interaction itself, explaining
many different scenarios which the researchers have gathered in interviews with 1,300 test
subjects. Some of the more interesting topics of the study ask and answer questions which may
pertain to the psychology of the female thought with a deeper probe into the male psyche as the
article title suggests. It focuses on adolescent dating relationships and how communication,
emotion and influence affects these relationships. In reviewing this article, this writer will argue
the merits pointed out in the article, relating personal experiences that have made these
observations and how they develop the intuitive sense, and perhaps the moral psychology one
develops with past romantic dyad.
In the article it is stated that the authors are looking from a different perspective at the
ways in which experiences that are gender-related may have an influence in crossing from
childhood to adolescence. From personal experience as an adolescent, I learned that puberty is a
time of social transition and physical change. As I approached adolescence, the possibilities
opened up for self-awareness and meaningful reflection. In other words, questions started
forming about myself and peers. For example, peer pressure grew stronger, I became more
Trexler 2
submissive, while the boys succumbed to the pressures to be tough, and the opposite sex became
much more appealing. In looking back, I agree that a lot is going when puberty sets in. The rules
changed, different things became important and all the sudden, appearance mattered, reputation
mattered and how to fit in with my peers began to matter, a lot! “Yet, perspectives about dating
are too heavily grounded in studies of peer interactions and concerns, rather than in research on
romantic encounters themselves. In addition, prior research has focused almost exclusively on
issues of sexuality, while the relational and emotional dimensions of early heterosexual
experiences have often been ignored.” (p. 261) People who would like to have a better
understanding of adolescent romantic experiences should consider the relational and emotional
dimensions. This is important! My early romantic experiences helped me gain a greater
understanding of what I valued in life and in my personal relationships. Those experiences
