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Copyright 2023 Marline E. Pearson
Table of Contents
Introduction to Relationship Smarts PLUS. ................iii
Instructor Tips. ...........................................................viii
Lesson 1: Who Am I and Where Am I Going?.......1
Possible Selves Tree
My Friends and My Future
Being Yourself: Dealing with Pressure Situations
Lesson 2: Maturity and What I Value....................19
Four Dimensions of Maturity
Maturity—Where Are You?
Clarifying Values
What’s Important to Me?
Lesson 3: Attractions and Infatuation. ..................35
Test Your Love Smarts
Relationship Pyramid
The Chemistry of Attraction
Lesson 4: Principles of Smart Relationships. ......55
Smart or Not-So-Smart?
Seven Principles of Smart Relationships
Seven Questions to Ask
Three Sides of Love
Lesson 5: Is It a Healthy Relationship?.................73
How Can You Tell?
Unmet Needs and Unhealthy Relationships
Having Fun
Tips for Teens
Lesson 6: Breaking Up and Dating Violence. ......89
Breaking Up
Early Warnings and Red Flags
Violence: Why it Happens, What Helps, Signs
of Danger
Sexual Assault
Draw the Line of Respect
Sex Trafficking—Prevention
Lesson 7: Decide, Don’t Slide! Pathways to
Success..................................................................123
Sliding vs. Deciding and Personal Development
Sliding vs. Deciding and Relationships
A Low-Risk Deciding Approach
Making Decisions
Pathways and Sequences Towards Success
Lesson 8: Communication and Healthy
Relationships.......................................................153
Communication Patterns Learned in Family
Patterns that Harm Relationships
Angry Brains and the Power of Time Outs
The Speaker Listener Technique—When Talking
is Difficult
Lesson 9: Communication Challenges and
More Skills..........................................................177
Complain and Raise Issues Effectively
Hidden Issues Under Arguments
A Problem-Solving Model
Taking Care of Relationships
A Brief Review
Lesson 10: Sexual Decision-Making....................197
Let’s Talk About Sex
What is Intimacy, Actually?
Am I Ready?
Risks of Sliding—Benefits of Deciding
Set Your Personal Line &Getting On the Same Page
Lesson 11: Pregnancy, STIs and HIV...................229
Test Your Sex Smarts
STIs and HIV Are for Real
Alcohol and Drugs—Increasing the Risks
My Personal Plan
Pressure Situations, Refusal Skills, &Exit Strategies
Lesson 12: Unintended Pregnancy Through
the Eyes of a Child.............................................259
Child Looking for a Family
What about Fathers?
Child Speak—Brighter Futures
Lesson 13: Teens, Technology, and Social Media...291
Constantly Connected—For Better and Worse
Relationships in the Digital World
Pornography—Informed Decision-Making
Cyberbullying
Designing a Personal Policy
Planning for Success
About the Author........................................................335
Acknowledgements. ....................................................336
Colored Activity Cards
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