Countless teenage hearts are shattered when the happiness of first love ends. Although painful, young people fortunate enough to have such an experience could have gleaned valuable lessons. Among other things, romantic relationships have more potential to teach someone about themselves, reciprocity, and empathy than those forged in the schoolyard. While they may not be the motivation for courtship, these kinds of lessons make a teenager's first love an event worth reflecting on as they transition into adulthood. Certainly there are fleeting relationships that have little long-term value and some remain the dream of the uncharismatic, but even the possibility or competition of finding romance promotes personal growth. Writers John Updike, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and E.E. Cummings have all demonstrated that the desire to find a partner is an elementary factor in the maturation process and is inextricably linked to the search for identity, the rebellious youthful tendency, and the need to become. Perhaps the first in-depth look at oneself is motivated by the search for romance. Fitzgerald's "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" is a short story set in the 1920s that highlights the anguish of young people in competing for the attention of the opposite sex. The story revolves around Bernice, a socially challenged girl, who visits her cousin in the summer. Her cousin Marjorie, a social butterfly who can choose between any number of boys in love, presents a stark contrast to Bernice's reserved and honest affection. A conflict between the two highlights Bernice's condition in which Marjorie, who is actually acutely aware of Bernice's flaws, scolds, “Is there any excuse for an ugly girl who complains. . . But you are starting life without any handicap” (Fitzgerald). Next...... half of the paper...... called, but in the end the inviting whistler has become the capital M “balloonMan” (21). This change not only signals the general coming of age, but also the responsibilities that come with finding a romantic partner and perhaps procreation. Maturation is fueled by long relationships, short relationships and the dream of romantic relationships that young people experience. The authors present how various aspects of maturation are rooted in tensions between the sexes due to its universal appeal. A boyfriend or girlfriend can help you recognize your flaws. However, attracting someone may require confidence that comes from a deep understanding of yourself or a courageous act of defiance. Immature young adults, whether through failure or courtship success, ultimately discover that they have a stronger sense of who they are, how to live life more fully, and how to deal with the realities of life...