Light Hearted

I recently watched a Japanese drama called “Chastity High”, and it left me reflecting on an issue that resonates deeply with many societies, including my own upbringing. The show centers around a strict school rule forbidding romance between students until they graduate. If caught, the punishment is severe: expulsion. The school even goes so far as to have students act as “rabbit hunters,” spying on their peers to catch any rule breakers. It’s all based on the traumatic past of the school principal, who lost her best friend in a tragic incident involving a secret pregnancy during high school. For her, this rule is a way to protect students from a similar fate.

But is such a rule fair?

While watching, I couldn’t help but recall my teenage years growing up in a conservative society in India, well over 35 years ago. Like many teenagers, I went through those same feelings—my first crush. However, much like the students in “Chastity High”, I kept those emotions to myself. Looking back, I realize that this restraint, while difficult at the time, may have helped me focus more on building my career. In societies like the one I grew up in, romance at a young age was seen as a distraction, something that could pull you off the path to success. Perhaps, like the principal in the show, the elders in my community wanted to protect us from heartbreak or bad decisions.

But are we really protecting teens by imposing such strict rules?

The drama raises this very question when one of the students sues the school, arguing that teenagers should have the freedom to explore their emotions. They believe the school should trust students to make responsible choices rather than stripping away their rights. And this is where I think things hit close to home.

As a parent now living in the U.S., I’ve tried to be supportive of my kids and the emotions they go through. I believe that emotional experiences, even romantic ones, are part of growing up and learning how to navigate life. It’s unrealistic to expect teenagers to suppress such a huge part of their development, especially when they are already dealing with so much pressure from school, friendships, and the journey of discovering who they are.

But what surprised me most in the drama was the ending. When given the chance to vote on whether to keep the “no romance rule,” the students voted in favor of it. Their argument? They are in school to study and focus on their future, and that’s what they should be doing. It was unexpected, but maybe it reflects a deeper reality. Many teenagers today feel the pressure to succeed academically and might be willing to make personal sacrifices for their goals, even if that means shelving romance.

It’s an interesting dilemma. On one hand, there’s the importance of academic focus and the idea that romance can be a distraction. On the other hand, life experiences, especially the emotional ones, are crucial for personal growth. I can’t say I completely agree with the students’ vote in “Chastity High”, but I understand it. Sometimes, in the pursuit of success, we make choices that seem harsh in the moment but may serve us in the long run.

That being said, if I were to go back in time to my teenage years, would I do things differently? Perhaps not. There is a time and place for everything, and maybe those early years were better spent laying a solid foundation for my future. But as a parent now, I see things a bit differently. I want my kids to have a balance—to pursue their dreams while not being afraid of love and all the emotions that come with it. After all, life is not just about academic or career success; it’s also about the relationships we build along the way.

“Chastity High” may have ended with the students voting to uphold the rule, but in real life, I think we all need a little more room for love, no matter where we are in life.

What do you think? Should schools have a say in how students manage their emotions, or should teenagers be trusted to navigate that themselves?