Building Responsible Building Responsible RelationshipsRelationships

Teen RelationshipsTeen Relationships

•Reasons for datingReasons for dating::– Get to know each otherGet to know each other– Want to develop friendshipsWant to develop friendships– CompanionshipCompanionship– SupportSupport

Benefits of datingBenefits of dating– Allows you to find out what different Allows you to find out what different

types of people are like. types of people are like. – Find out who you relate most easily to.Find out who you relate most easily to.– Learn how to resolve disagreements and Learn how to resolve disagreements and

communicate more effectively.communicate more effectively.– Provides emotional support during a Provides emotional support during a

challenging part of your life.challenging part of your life.

How to Develop a How to Develop a Healthy RelationshipHealthy Relationship

AttractionAttraction• Something about the person catches Something about the person catches

your attention.your attention.

• You are attracted to each other.You are attracted to each other.

• You want to get to know each other You want to get to know each other better.better.

FriendshipFriendship• Two people get to know each other better.Two people get to know each other better.

• They may find they have things in common.They may find they have things in common.

• They explore each other characteristics.They explore each other characteristics.

• They are on their best behavior.They are on their best behavior.

Close FriendshipClose Friendship• Two people spend more time together.Two people spend more time together.• The two people get to know each The two people get to know each

other’s values and feelings.other’s values and feelings.• You begin to discover each others You begin to discover each others

tendencies.tendencies.• At this stage the relationship may At this stage the relationship may

progress or retreat.progress or retreat.

Deep FriendshipDeep Friendship• You reveal your faults.You reveal your faults.• They let down their masks of best They let down their masks of best

behavior and reality sets in.behavior and reality sets in.• The two trust each other and accept The two trust each other and accept

each others’ true self, complete with each others’ true self, complete with faults.faults.

• They may decide to “go steady”.They may decide to “go steady”.

Lifelong LoveLifelong Love• Two people feel they can commit to Two people feel they can commit to

each other for life.each other for life.• The two have invested time into the The two have invested time into the

relationship.relationship.• The degree of closeness makes conflict The degree of closeness makes conflict

likely but the two learn to resolve likely but the two learn to resolve conflict in healthy ways.conflict in healthy ways.

• This relationship may lead to marriage.This relationship may lead to marriage.

DatingDatingChoosing the Right PersonChoosing the Right Person

Choosing the Right PersonChoosing the Right Person• One of the most important things to know about a One of the most important things to know about a

potential date is the quality of the person’s characterpotential date is the quality of the person’s character..• Is unselfishIs unselfish• Treats other’s wellTreats other’s well• Is tolerate and respectfulIs tolerate and respectful• Has similar morals and valuesHas similar morals and values• Is fun to be withIs fun to be with• Respects themselvesRespects themselves

Avoiding the Wrong PersonAvoiding the Wrong PersonDo not date someone that:Do not date someone that:

• Hurts you physically or emotionallyHurts you physically or emotionally• Does not respect your morals or Does not respect your morals or

valuesvalues• Makes you feel badly about yourselfMakes you feel badly about yourself• Is jealousIs jealous• Is possessiveIs possessive