Why do older kids and teens get embarrassed about liking the opposite sex gender?

[Danielle93]

Usually people start having crushes between ages 10-14 or during their HS years. What's so embarrassing about liking the opposite sex gender?

A guy doesn't want the girl to find out he likes her. Vice-versa and it's the same. The girl wants to continue keeping it a secret from him. Or at times, they overdo it with acting mean and somewhat like a bully out of embarrassment if they become nice.

Why? What's so bad, embarrassing about something so natural? They can they just admit it and not be embarrassed about something so obvious and part of being human? I'm wondering this because I never had an issue with being natural and nice (treat others how I want to be treated) around my crush at that age.

Updates

+1 y

They like as if it was some dirty secret to hide or something. Why? It's naturally and expected. We all get older and get attracted at some point.

[NathanDavis]

ages 10 to 14...

whenever the kids found out that someone was into someone... the entire class would tease, and banter and joke about it, and them too...

so yes, you do put yourself on the spotlight, and your "crush" as well... which can be awkward, annoying, embarrassing, and sometimes hurtful... for the ones that are more anxious or shy

also, can bring you a lot of jealousy, envy and resentment issues with classmates or between friends... because others might have a crush on either of the two

so yeah, I do wonder what's the big deal with all that... lol

[Alex8736]

TBH I'm thinking it might be fear of rejection especially when it's something never experienced before and the mind is in overdrive as to "how would I approach them, what would I say to them, I don't want to be embarrassed if I try talking to her in front of her friends"

[Vesuvius87]

It's the fear of rejection and not knowing how to react if your crush finds out about it. If your crush decides to directly confront you about it, keeps asking ''Do you like me'' and makes a scene out of it then out of shame, you can even revert back to being mean and insult them.

[Cutegirl06]

Because we don't know how the other person feels. Do they feel the same way? It's a rejection thing.

[Wise4myage]

I think inexperience plays a big part why that happens.

[Danielle93]

Could be. I always saw my parents be loving towards each other. When I told them about my crush at school (I was 11/12 at the time), they told me it was a normal stage, part of growing up and to continue treating him nice just like I would to someone else.

[Wise4myage]

I agree with what your parents said. :)

[ThrillSeeker01]

Could be they're not used to those emotions.