Chapter 2 Relationships & Choosing Abstinence Aww…baby Robert Cressman! What a looker! Lesson 1 Relationships & Communication

You’ll learn to… Evaluate the effects of family relationships on physical, mental/emotional, and social health Evaluate the positive & negative effects of relationships with peers Demonstrate communication skills that build & maintain healthy relationships

Functions of a healthy family Families help provide basic physical needs. Ex. food, shelter, care when ill. Families provide emotional support. Families provide structure for our lives. Ex. organize activities and schedule times. (families look out for your best interest).                                    Jordan McEnhill & Family

Family & Friends Family is the basic unit of society. Besides ensuring food, clothing, and shelter, family provides guidance to help children learn to function in society. Families teach us our values. PJ & Brothers

Marty Shurr at GCIT’s 10 year Reunion Values Values- the beliefs & standards of conduct that are important to a person Values are also instilled through cultural heritage, religious beliefs, and family traditions You apply your values to the decisions that you make everyday. Marty Shurr at GCIT’s 10 year Reunion

Friends As we mature we meet people outside our families & we make friends Friends who share your interests and values can be a source of positive peer pressure Eastlack, Marty, Feldman & Cressman…BFF’s with matching mullets!

Relationships in Adolescent Years Forming mature relationships with your peers is important for your social health Being involved in a variety of school, religious, and community activities can promote your mental/emotional and social growth.

Peer Pressure As you develop relationships (individual/groups) you probably experience peer pressure. Peer pressure is the influence that people your age may have on you Peer pressure can be positive or negative

Peer pressure continued… Peer pressure is especially influential for adolescents with low self-esteem. In order to feel a sense of belonging, they may engage in high-risk behaviors or activities that go against their values.

Dating Considered an important social activity Group dates offer teens opportunities to interact with a variety of people, they may feel less nervous. Steady dating is when two people date each other exclusively.

Communication The process through which you send messages to and receive messages from others—is essential to any relationship Good communication skills will help you keep relationships healthy and mature

Good Communication Skills Means clearly expressing your feelings, thoughts, ideas, and expectations. Use “I” messages to avoid placing blame. Maintain a polite tone in your voice. Speak directly to the person. Provide a clear, organized message that states the situation. Body language should match your words.

Good Listening Skills Good listening skills means listening to what others say. Guidelines for being a good listener: Give your full attention to the person speaking. Focus on the speaker’s message. Indicate your interest. Remember what the speaker had said. Use positive body language.

Conflict Any disagreement, struggle, or fight. Most common reasons for a conflict include a lack of communication When conflicts or disagreements occur relying on T.A.L.K strategy will help reach a peaceful resolution.

T.A.L.K T- Take time out A- Allow each person to express his/her opinion uninterrupted L- Let each person take turns to ask questions and clarify any statements K- Keep brainstorming to find a good solution

Conflict & Dating Becoming skilled at “choosing your battles,” or deciding when it is worthwhile to take, can help you avoid unnecessary conflict. Good communication is especially important in dating relationships. Express yourselves honestly and listen to what the other person is saying.

Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships Conflict & Dating Activity

KNOW THE SIGNS: Healthy relationships have the following characteristics:  Talking about your feelings  Respecting date’s friends and activities  Considering the other person’s opinions and feelings  Respecting differences in other persons  Stating differences of opinion  Having an equal say in the relationship  Figuring out a solution that is good for both of you.

KNOW THE SIGNS: Unhealthy relationships have the following characteristics:  Believing one sex has more rights that the other  Shouting or yelling when you are angry at your date  Using the silent treatment  Pestering your date until you get what you want  Pouting to get what you want.

KNOW THE SIGNS: Abusive relationships have the following characteristics:  Dominating and controlling your date’s other relationships/friends and activities  Name calling (putdowns)  Threatening harm  Intimidating be hitting or destroying property  Being extremely jealous and possessive of date  Pushing, hitting, restraining or holding your date against his/her will  Forcing sexual touching or intercourse.

Review Questions Evaluate ways your parents, guardians, and other family members contribute to physical and mental/emotional health and help you establish healthy relationships. Define the term peer pressure and evaluate the positive & negative effects of relationships with peers.

Review Questions continued… 3. List three benefits of dating. 4. Explain & demonstrate the importance of using good communication skills in building & maintaining healthy relationships. Give two examples. 5. Make a list of positive ways you can develop healthy relationships with your peers. Describe specific actions you can take to become a good friend.