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William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a timeless tragedy set in Verona, Italy, where two young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, defy their feuding families. Despite their passionate love, a series of tragic events, including Romeo’s banishment after killing Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt, lead to a catastrophic misunderstanding. Juliet fakes her death, but Romeo, believing she is truly gone, takes poison. When Juliet awakens to find Romeo dead, she ends her life as well. Their deaths finally reconcile their families, making Romeo and Juliet one of Shakespeare’s most celebrated works, exploring themes of love, fate, and the destructive nature of hatred.
Juliet is explicitly stated to be 13 years old in the play, with references confirming she is not yet 14. Romeo’s age is not directly mentioned, but he is believed to be around 16 or 17, inferred from his maturity and actions. Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet between 1591 and 1595, with its first publication in 1597. In 1591, English canon law set the legal minimum marriage age at 12 for girls and 14 for boys, although parental consent was generally required, particularly for those under 21. While such young marriages were legally permitted, they were uncommon, especially among the upper classes, where arranged marriages were the norm.
A recent private study conducted by my team in high schools across three districts of Andhra Pradesh revealed a startling reality: despite being segregated into separate boys’ and girls’ classrooms, over 70% of students were engaged in romantic relationships. Further analysis showed that more than 80% of students lacked clear life goals and were heavily influenced by the unrealistic portrayals of love in Telugu cinema.
Among boys aged 12 to 16, smoking cigarettes has become a misguided symbol of masculinity, believed to enhance their appeal to girls. Alarmingly, despite the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003, which prohibits the sale of tobacco within 100 yards of educational institutions and to individuals under 18, enforcement remains lax. Liquor and tobacco products are still readily accessible near schools.
Teenagers, influenced by popular Telugu films, see themselves as “world-famous lovers” like Vijay Deverakonda, while young girls aspire to be romantic heroines like Samantha’s character in Kushi. Once they become deeply infatuated, the problems extend beyond school and into their homes. Before many boys even grow a proper mustache, their female counterparts, who often struggle academically, are married off by their parents. This growing phenomenon has left teachers perplexed and struggling to control the situation.
Shockingly, in about 20% of these cases, older girls enter relationships with younger boys, using them to boost their social status and manipulate them for personal gain. With Valentine’s Day approaching, fancy stores near schools stock up on love cards and gifts, expecting sales between ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per shop.
While school romance exists worldwide, in Andhra Pradesh, it has escalated into an epidemic with serious consequences. Academically, students become distracted, leading to declining performance. Emotionally, their immaturity causes misunderstandings, heartbreak, and psychological distress, sometimes leading to anxiety, depression, or even self-harm. Breakups leave lasting emotional scars, affecting academic progress and career aspirations.
One of the most severe consequences of these immature relationships is the escalation of social and family conflicts. Andhra’s already fragile caste dynamics only add fuel to the fire. Friendships deteriorate due to jealousy, gossip, and peer pressure, sometimes leading to violent gang fights. In many cases, these relationships start purely from physical attraction, fueled by hormonal impulses, and can lead to premature sexual activity, exposing students to serious health risks.
Every child is sent to school with the hope of becoming a responsible, contributing member of society. However, this school romance epidemic is jeopardizing the future of Andhra Pradesh. As someone who has traveled across India, I can confidently say that no other state faces a crisis of this magnitude among its student population. We have failed to guide our children and help them set meaningful goals for their future.
Premature relationships often lead to irreversible regrets and lost opportunities. Unplanned teenage pregnancies disrupt education and career prospects, particularly for girls, whose lives take an entirely different trajectory thereafter. The state government, parents, and the broader community must step up to address this crisis. Comprehensive sex education and psychological counseling must be introduced to help students make informed decisions about relationships and personal growth.
Additionally, the Telugu film industry must take responsibility by displaying warnings before and after love songs, stating: “Immature relationships can be injurious to an underage student’s future and may lead to disaster.” Filmmakers should also boldly specify that the lead characters are over 22 years old to discourage young students from romanticizing teenage love.
* Views are personal and based on the personal studies conducted by the author. The blog is not to hurt anyone intentionally and for the social good.
The author is a globetrotter, former journalist, and social engineer advising Governments on Inclusive Education, STEM, and Social Entrepreneurship.
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