Valentine’s Day: Love, choices, responsibility for young people

Dr Mazvita Machinga
FEBRUARY 14, widely known as Valentine’s Day, is often associated with love, romance, and celebration.
While this day can be meaningful, especially for married couples, it has also become a time when many unmarried teenagers and young people feel pressured to engage in activities that may have lasting consequences.
In today’s world, social media, peer influence, and commercialisation have amplified expectations surrounding Valentine’s Day.
Young people often feel the need to prove their love through expensive gifts, public displays of affection, or even engaging in risky behaviors such as early sexual activity, substance use, and reckless spending.
I have even come across primary and secondary school learners talking about Valentine’s Day.
However, many will regret after this Valentine’s Day having indulged in harmful sexual activities in the name of love. Remember true love and appreciation do not come from temporary gestures, but from mutual respect, understanding, and responsible choices.
As a community, we need to remind our young people that Valentine’s Day is, not a test of love, but an opportunity to celebrate healthy relationships, whether with family, friends, or oneself.
Young people should be encouraged to focus on self-respect, making wise decisions, and avoiding peer pressure that could lead to regrets.
Parents, guardians, and teachers should use this occasion to educate young people about love, consent, and the importance of emotional and mental well-being in relationships.
Help talk about Valentine’s Day. This day has a history behind.
Parents show love to your children so that they do not fall prey of sexual predators in the name of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day should be a time to spread kindness and love in all forms, not just romantic love.
Instead of making reckless choices, young people can celebrate the day by appreciating their families, engaging in acts of service, or even practicing self-care.
Let us remind everyone that love is not about a single day, it is about the everyday actions that show care, integrity, and respect 365 days of the year, seven days of the month etc.
It is my hope that our young people ill handle relationship issues in a wise manner.
Dr Mazvita Machinga (PhD, MSc, MA, CPE), is a mental health consultant , psychotherapist and marriage therapist based in Mutare For more information on psychotherapy, couple and marriage counselling, contact 0771754519 or WhatsApp 0778 838410