Module 2 Lesson 1

What is a relationship?
It is the way two or more people are connected and the way they feel and behave towards each other
based on this connection

Primary relationships we likely are to experience:

 Early age: We depend on our parents and grandparents to nurture us and care for us
 Primary school years: We then extend our circle and begin to engage with class mates and our
teachers
 Teen years: We begin to search for belonging somewhere else other than home and seek
acceptance from our peers
 Early adulthood: We begin to work on ourselves and identify our values rather than seeking for
acceptance from peers. We also begin to seek meaningful companionships, either in the form of
friendships or intimate partner
 Adulthood and old age: Our relationships shift depending on the lives we chose, whether it’s
living with your intimate partner and focusing on them and your children, or if you have chosen
not to have children, then your focus is on yourself and your intimate partner as well as family
and friends.

Relationships are ever-changing, and they grow and develop throughout our lives

Relationship qualities:

TRUST MATURE DEPENDABLE HONESTY BOUNDARIES VALIDIATION

COMMITMENT AFFECTION FORGIVING UNDERSTANDING EMPATHY RESPECT

What is a quality:
It is a characteristic or attribute that someone possesses

The primary qualities that we look for in specific relationships depend on our expectations for the
relationship

Rights and responsibilities in a relationship

Rights: these are the things you are morally or legally entitled to do

- Saying ‘no’ without feeling guilty

- Expressing your feelings
- Changing your mind
- Expressing your own opinions
- Being treated with respect
Responsibilities: these are the duties you have to care about the rights of others

- Treat others with kindness

- Act with integrity
- Uphold the dignity with others

Relationships have a profound effect on our well-being, and this can either be a positive or negative
effect.

Positive relationships Negative relationships

Leave us feeling respected, overpowered,
connected and appreciated
Have the potential to improve us and change us
for the better
Detrimental to our well-being and can lead to
depression
1. Non abusive
There is incompatibility between the two
people and have an inability to
communicate effectively

2. Abusive
Emotional, psychological or physical
abuse can be experienced

Things that have an influence on our relationships

Cultural views
Many cultural norms have a positive value and can act as a guiding light, however some of them
negatively affect people because they confine people to the expectations set for themselves
based on age, gender status and other factors

Internet
Pornography: material that explicitly displays a description or display of sexual organs or activity
intended for sexual interest

Revenge porn: this is when someone shares nudes of someone without their consent in order to
embarrass them or ‘get back’ at them

Media

Benefits Downsides
- Keeps us connected - Shares fake news
- Helps us make friends - Can make one jealous
- Gives us access to information and - Cyberbullying
 educational resources - Comparison
Cyberbullying
This is bullying that happens over digital devices. It includes sharing mean content about
someone else causing humiliation.
This impacts young people’s self-esteem and can lead to suicide and depression.

What to do:
1. Report it
2. Don’t be a bystander
3. Be kind online

Comparison

Social media is not reality.

The ‘highlight reel’ is when people only post about the best moments and experiences in their
lives and leave out the rest

Unrealistic expectations

The media portrays unrealistic beauty standards and wealth (e.g. a certain body type, a level of
financial wealth, what normal relationships look like)