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CHAPTER 1
Families & Friendships
UNIT 6: Responsible Relationship
Responsible Relationships
Friendships
Typically, most
relationships start out
as friendships
First step to a serious
relationship
Responsible Relationships
Relationships
Learn to care at a
more personal
level
May have sexual
pressures
Wonder about the
expectations of
the other person
Complicated
Responsible Relationships
Going-out
Wanting more
than a friendship
Age of readiness
is not the same for
everyone
“go out” for
specific reasons
Responsible Relationships
Going Out
Establishing Rules
Parents set-up rules
- They don’t want their
teens in situations that
are beyond their ability
and control
- Don’t want teens to be
involved in serious
relationships so they
don’t lose sight of their
goals
Responsible Relationships
Going Out
Establishing
Rules
If you were a
parent, what
rules would you
set?
What concerns
would you have?
Responsible Relationships
Going Out
Spending Time with
a Group
Going out usually
begins in groups
Safer
Helps people to
relax and have a good
time
Less nervous
Don’t always have to
keep a conversation
going
Responsible Relationships
Going Out
Going-out as a Couple
Going in groups helps
people to be comfortable
Eventually they go out as a
couple
Going out with others helps
to learn about others
Going out with only one
person gives a person security
- Often the relationship ends
- Lose a lot of opportunities to
meet other people
Responsible Relationships
Commitment
When two people
decide they don’t
want to see other
people and stay true
to each other
State of obligation
to each other and a
dedication to making
the relationship work
Responsible Relationships
Commitment
Marriage
Success is often
determined
before the
marriage takes
place
Some people
don’t spend
enough time
getting to know
their partner
Responsible Relationships
Commitment
Marriage
Usually takes at
least a year or more
to get to know
someone
Skills and effort are
needed to make
marriages work as
well as
communication and
conflict resolution
Responsible Relationships
Commitment
Marriage
Not everyone wants
to marry
Marriage is a
choice, not an
obligation
May find career,
travel, or community
service more fulfilling
Responsible Relationships
Commitment
Marriage: Teen Marriage
Not all make this
commitment seriously
Roughly 70% of teen
marriages end in divorce
Still a time of change
Teenage years are full
of experiences that don’t
happen when people get
older, missed because of
the marriage
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Love and Infatuation
A high level of
attachment can stir
intense emotions
Love and
infatuation
“how will I know
when I’m in love?”
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Love and Infatuation
Love is needed by two
people to make a relationship
last
Love is based on caring and
a desire to work towards
common goals
Requires giving and taking
Communication
Trust
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Love and
Infatuation
Many people are
infatuated with
someone, not in
love
Love lasts,
infatuations don’t
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Love and Infatuation
How to tell the difference:
Is the relationship based
on more than physical
appearance?
Is the feeling based on
the total person?
Is concern for the other
person’s well-being and
happiness important?
Has enough time been
allowed to tell?
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Crushes
Intense, short-term feelings
of fascination that are usually
not returned
The feelings will fade with
time
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Crushes
Stalking
The ending of a
relationship or crush may
end with problems
Unwelcomed pursuit of
another
Refuses to acknowledge
that the relationship is over
Calls repeatedly, constant
letters, following the person,
loitering around their home
Contact police if this
occurs
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Jealousy
Typical in relationships
Feeling that the person you care about is more
interested in someone or something else
A little bit of jealousy is normal; out of hand, it is
destructive
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Jealousy
Extremely jealous people are
insecure
Best way to handle it is to
talk about it
Understand that the person
has needs that the relationship
can not fulfill
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Anger
Can threaten a relationship
Common in relationships
When anger is felt, physical
actions are NOT allowed
Verbal responses are not
allowed
Responsible Relationships
Handling Emotions
Anger
Physical and verbal attacks happen because the
person does not know how to communicate
effectively or how to solve a conflict
Don’t let anger build over time, just as destructive
Responsible Relationships
When Relationship Ends
Unreasonable to expect a person to find a life long
mate without ever trying other relationships
Breaking up can be very painful and difficult
Responsible Relationships
Sexuality and Responsibility
Real Pressure
Why take risks?
Physical pressures
Television shows
Movies
Explicit images
Peer pressures
Responsible Relationships
Strategies for Handling Sexual Feelings
Think ahead
Make a plan for
abstinence
Practice refusal skills
Make your own choice
(don’t let someone else
influence your choice!!)
Self-control
Can still show affection,
express it differently
Responsible Relationships
Pride in Yourself
Feel good about yourself
Stand up for your personal values
You are smart enough to make
wise decisions on your own
Responsible Relationships
Teen Parenting
Not mature enough – emotionally,
physically, or financially to take on
responsibility of parenthood
More likely to abuse/neglect
their children
Have low paying jobs
Need to finish school
Dropping out will not provide
opportunities for experience and
training needed to get a better job
Responsible Relationships
Teen Parenting
Physical Concerns
Bodies are still growing
Babies tend to be born
premature or have low
birth weight
Endanger a females body
- More likely to develop
toxemia or anemia
Responsible Relationships
Teen Parenting
Planning Ahead
Not planning ahead hurts
the parents and the child
May give baby a poor start
to life and may not foster the
child’s growth and
development needs
Talk to partner about
responsibilities and
consequences
Task for today
• In our current society, not getting married
puts people into too much social pressure.
Discuss three strategies for people who
decide not to get married to use in dealing
with the pressure.
• This is the end of Chapter 1: discuss the three
most significant lessons you learned in
chapter 1
