Do Teens Understand What Love Is?

In our comments section of the Did you remember to say "I love you" to your teen today? post, some of our parents wondered if teens really understood how special the words I love you are - and the feeling too I imagine. I think my teens do. But, that said, I think most teens understand that love can mean different things at different times. You love your parents, but you can also love your pet and ice cream. There is a difference in the feeling, but the language is the same. Read what our commenters had to say, weight in on our poll and tell us what you think in the comments area.

Maureen says: It's a difficult age, but an especially important age for them to know that they are loved. However, I sometimes overhear people saying the words "I love you" on their cell phones and honestly, sometimes it just doesn't sound sincere. I think it's a very special phrase and should be used in only that way, not as an end to every conversation..it needs to be sincere. Teenagers now seem to say "I love you" to everyone on FB. It makes me wonder if they truly understand the meaning of "love".

sjchipper says: I agree with Maureen. These are special words, and they should be said to those we're close to, but I hear my daughter saying these every time she hangs up her cell phone, it's all over Facebook, and it does sound a bit sincere. I'd like the phrase "I love you" to really mean something, and it should be said frequently to those we do truly love and hold dear.

Poll: Do you think your teen knows what love means?

• Yes.
• Yes, but sometimes they just say it because I do or their friends do.
• No.
• No, they say it all the time to anyone.
• Not sure.

See the poll results.