Sacred Images - Healthy Dating Relationships

Summary

Students will examine how dating practices have changed.

Materials

• Sacred Images book
• Glencoe Textbook
• Paper and pencil

Background for Teachers

Be familiar with story on page 56, Sacred Images
Be able to give insight on patriarchal and matriarchal societies.

Student Prior Knowledge

Have an understanding of what constitutes a positive healthy relationship.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will understand characteristics of healthy relationships.

Instructional Procedures

Before this lesson is taught, assign students to interview a grandparent or someone that would be considered an elder. Ask the person being interviewed the following questions.

• When was the first time you saw your spouse?
• What ways did you use to meet them?
• How did you "ask them out?"
• What qualities did this person have that you admired?
• How do you think this person felt about you?
• What were the dating expectations?
• How were you expected to treat them?
• What changes would make your relationship healthier?

How would these answers differ from your parent's answers or your answers?

Students will define the vocabulary words. Infatuation, Cliques, Prejudice, Stereotype, Platonic Friendship, Casual Friendship, Close Friendship, Patriarchal Society, Matriarchal Society.

Students will write a story about a best friend using these vocabulary words.

Activity 1:
Read the story on page 56 of Sacred Images and answer the same questions you asked in the interview. Some questions may be hard to answer so put yourself in that situation and try to answer the question.

• How do these answers differ from your grandparents?

Activity 2:
Create a panel of students and have them draw and label characteristics of the ideal healthy relationship.

• How realistic are these characteristics?
• Do you have any of these characteristics?

Activity 3:
Students will be put in pairs. Each group will be assigned a different time period and asked to research the varrious dating practices.

• Ask students to identify various trends in dating. Students can create skits or scenarios to depict these practices.
• Are there any social expectations in dating?
• How do these past trends differ from current dating practices?

Bibliography

Sacred Images
Glencoe Health Textbook