Do middle school “relationships” really count as dating experience?

[Autumnsummerspring]

I don’t think they do. My specific “ones” were people I didn’t really like but I did it because I felt like I was supposed to. Plus we barely talked; I was an exceptionally shy child and would only giggle when anyone talked to me. I went out with 3 of them with mine or their families. I again didn’t talk to them. It didn’t last long the shortest was like 5 days and the longest was like 6 months with minimal talking. We just sent hearts to each other.
I started “dating” in 4th grade and I’ve not dated anyone since the “last” in 7th.
Is it fair to say I’ve never been in a relationship?

They do count

They don’t count

[NathanDavis]

of course it does...

because it will give you a UNIQUE experience, that you would never be able to replicate any time later

whatever you learn about yourself, others, and relationships of any kind... as a young teen, will be different from those you have as an older teen, and then... an adult

so, in that regard... it does count and it means a whole lot

and the more you learn along the way... about yourself, others and these dynamics, the more likely for anyone to have a much wider perspective about all these things, later in life and this is probably why SOME (not all of them of course) of the people who make it college, age 22, 23, 24, 25... have really no idea what to approach someone else so never mind about how to be in a relationship

[Autumnsummerspring]

I didn’t learn anything lol. I can barely remember them. And like I said I barely talked to them so that’s why I’m unsure if I can label it as relationships

[NathanDavis]

maybe you in particular... did not learn anything substantial yourself

however, you and your being already experienced something before... so your next time, won't be a first time again... and that also matters much more than you could ever realize

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Serious Nathan is serious.

I'm seriously backing up this seriousness. And I'm serious too.

[Summeroflove]

I would say yes those younger relationships really help teach someone earlier in life about love and relationships. You start learning who you like, who you don’t, what you want from a relationship, and what red flags to look out for.

[CriminallyInsane]

I almost don't count high school as much experience. There's so little that carries over into adult dating.

[Abbycado]

Nah, they are not really relationships that translate to the adult world.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

In the spirit of what NathanDavis already said, I think it counts as personal experience, beyond what we conceive.

I believe that dating is about having complex and slippery social interactions with people. I believe that dating, and in fact existence in general, is much more than a list of behaviours and responses. When you traded hearts for 6 months, you were not some NPC, you lived a minimal relation that belongs to your emotional development. That matters.

[Autumnsummerspring]

I didn’t really feel anything. It was something people around me were doing, so I felt I needed to too. When I realized in like 8th grade I didn’t need to do things because other people were doing them was a very freeing day.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Illustrating what I said, realizing that you did things to conform to your environment is dating experience. That influences, transfers to any choice you'll make later in time, psychologically and socially

[NMMan]

As life experience? Sure. For example, a situation similar to the ones you described above that I had in 7th Grade, resulted in my first kiss. But as tangible dating experience comparable to what you encounter as an adult? In my humble opinion, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Only if you're serious f***ed in the head. Kids are not adults. And if you're holding a emotional wound that someone gave you in grade school. Then you're the one who needs help. You have not emotionally matured.

[Autumnsummerspring]

Never said I was harboring an emotional wound. I just wanna know if I would be wrong to say I’ve never dated anyone lol.

[RingOfFire]

Maybe you have never been in a "mature" relationship, but all relationships based on attraction are "real" relationships.

I had relationships with girls in middle school I still treasure to this day even though we didn't do most of the things that adults do in relationships. I look back on them with a smile in my heart. They were innocent. They were precious. They had elements that you can never duplicate as an adult. They were beautiful.

[Marissa4]

If that’s the case I’d dated with my best friend when it was just the two of us.

[Autumnsummerspring]

I agree. Looking back most of the feelings I had were ones of friendship that I had with my female friends. Also the crushes I had, were the same feelings I had when I wanted to be friends with someone. But it was something I felt I was supposed to do. Like a performance.

[jahaims]

Children dating shouldn't even be a thing. It adds baggage not experience

[Autumnsummerspring]

I agree, the reason I felt so pressured into “dating” was because I already struggled socially (late diagnosed autistic) and people liked me better when they thought i had the same feelings they did. (I mean girls not boys)

[slatyb]

Experience is experience. Middle school dating probably won't go as far as high school dating, but you are still learning something.

[Kelley1]

It is age-appropriate learning about the opposite sex.

[Master_Debator]

I was nutting in chicks... think it counts.

[Nikki1989]

They count but they don't count for much.

[Jammannn]

They for sure count. Everyone knows childhood love isn't the finest example, as you highlight poor communication being at the core of yours. That doesn't discount it. Not in the slightest.

[Anonymous]

I’m not sure if middle school relationships count or not. They’re sort of like starter relationships to get you ready for real dating in high school.

[Alex-Snow]

It was an awkward time for me. I did not consider them dates. But they did give me boners which I had to take care of as soon as I got home!

[Anonymous]

I think so. It was a couple on TikTok that dated in middle school for years till high school.

[DryGermanGuy]

For some people, they certainly do!

[Iron_Man]

Yes, they count

[Shrimpenjoyer]

No that's nothing

[oldman26]

Early stages of dating, it counts