Healthy Relationships - Valentine's Day and Beyond

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• Upper Secondary (Key Stage 4)
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)
• BTEC, GCSE

Introduction

This lesson explores relationships, focussing mostly on the signs of an appropriate romantic relationship and the signs of an unhealthy toxic relationship. The presentation can be adjusted to suit the age and levels of your students, and most of the slides are designed to leave talking and thinking space after you have covered the content. It is important that the class understands that the unhealthy relationship definitions are something to be wary of for themselves and their friends - adding in information for appropriate local resources or helplines is advised.

Instructions

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Relationships

Around Valentines Day, it is easy to get caught up in the mood of the season. Lots of you will have new romantic interests, or may be looking to let someone know you like them, but it’s important to not get too caught up in the season, understand your rights in a relationship, and how to deal with a relationship that might feel unhealthy.

What could be a sign of an unhealthy relationship?

I agree with that quote

What is a relationship?

A relationship is a connection or association between two or more people, things, or concepts. In the context of people, a relationship is defined by the ways they feel, behave, and interact with each other. Relationships can be short-term or long-lasting, positive or negative, but they always evolve over time

Maintaining friendships is more important than romantic relationships at our age.

Do you agree?

Signs of a healthy relationship

Signs of a healthy relationship include mutual trust, respect, open and honest communication, shared values, mutual support, the ability to set and respect boundaries, enjoying quality time together, and the ability to resolve conflict constructively. Both partners should also feel comfortable being their authentic selves without fear of judgment and work together as a team.

Unhealthy relationships

An unhealthy or ‘Toxic’ relationship is one where you consistently feel devalued, disrespected, or unsafe, characterised by controlling behaviours, isolation from friends and family, poor communication, and a constant toll on your self-esteem and emotional well-being. Signs include one partner's need for control, constant criticism or contempt, lack of support, and the other person feeling a need to "walk on eggshells" around their partner.

What advice would you give someone who was

unhappy in their relationship?

What to do if your relationship becomes unhealthy?

If a relationship becomes unhealthy, you should firstly explain your concerns to your partner. If they don’t listen, or try to de-value your concerns, then clearly this relationship isn’t going to work for you, so consider whether you should stay in it. If it is past this point, you should always prioritise safety by contacting a trusted adult for abuse concerns, or escalating it to an authority if the concerns are particularly serious. Build a support system with trusted friends and family, set firm boundaries, and focus on self-care by engaging in new hobbies and activities to shift your focus and regain control over your life.