Stage 2: Positive Relationships
This stage focuses on the secondary school years. Important points in relationship development and understanding include:
- a significant focus on physical changes, appearance and the increased interest in romantic relationships and intimacy
- personal identity and sexuality
- friendship, peer pressure and a sense of belonging
- deeper platonic and/or romantic relationships
- growing independent in decision making, dependability, honouring of commitment and compromise
‘...that love in which the person becomes a gift and, by means of this gift, fulfills the meaning of his or her being and existence.’ St John Paul II, General Audience, 1980
Relationship Resources
The following resources have been selected from The Good Society, part of the Australian Government’s Respect Matters program to support respectful relationships education in all Australian schools.
Under the broad headings of Relationships and Power, The Good Society has identified 8 dimensions of respectful relationships. Society broadly, and our Catholic tradition specifically identifies and affirms the role of parents/carers with children: ‘Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2223). Or, as Pope Francis has observed more recently: ‘parents, as educators, are responsible, by their affection and example, for instilling in their children trust and loving respect’ (Amoris Laetitia, 2016, n. 263).
To this end, the 8 digital resources curated below are chosen from the Years 7-9 section of The Good Society resources, and each has a conversation guide, developed to assist parents/carers to engage and explore each element with their young teens.
Using the See, Judge, Act method of analysis - seeing and recognising situations, judging them in light of Catholic Social Teaching principles, and acting to promote justice and solidarity - this stage balances thoughtful reflection with practical application to help grow and nurture positive relationships.
- Cultural Diversity: How can I celebrate with my friends?
- Belonging
- Changing Friends: Silent
- Group Dynamics: Gone too far
- Peer influence: Adolescent risk-takers
- Social power: Bystander
- Gender and power: You look disgusting
- Bystander action: The science of empathy
Cultural Diversity | How can I celebrate my friends?
Groups with members from culturally diverse backgrounds tend to be more welcoming of new members and provide individual members with increased opportunities to develop friendships with people from a more diverse and varied social network.
Belonging
George is a young Syrian who struggled to find his identity as a child. After fleeing his country and coming to Paris, he finds a sense of belonging to a community that feels similar to his childhood memories as a scout.
Changing Friends: Silent
When someone is different to you, it can be easy to think you've got nothing in common. But the one thing we all have in common is the need for friendships, and to be treated with kindness.
Group Dynamics: Gone too far
Jason, a top gamer, is the new boy at school and everyone is interested in him. Charlie is threatened by Jason and challenges him to an online game, which Jason wins. To get back at Jason, Charlie starts an online campaign against Jason, who quickly becomes a victim of cyberbullying.
Peer influence: Adolescent risk takers
Research shows that young adolescents are highly attuned to social risks, which often affects their decisions. In this film, neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemore explains the science of peer influence and a group of adolescents give their own perspective on the risky business of being a teenager.
Social Power: Bystander
Almost 40% of all racist incidents occur in public spaces, including on public transport. This video aims to teach bystanders what they can do when they witness racism in a public space.
Gender and Power: You look disgusting
Societal and gendered norms influence how we see ourselves and how others see us. But it’s essential that you believe in yourself, and never let anyone tell you you're not beautiful—not even yourself.
Bystander action: The science of empathy
We’d all like to consider ourselves helpful people, but are we always quick to lend a hand whenever the opportunity arises? How long do you think it would take for people to offer assistance to someone struggling right in front of them?
An initiative of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Joy of Love is facilitated by CatholicCare Sydney. To learn more about their work and the people they help, visit catholiccare.org