LESSON 5 • 73
Copyright 2023 Marline E. Pearson
This lesson offers guidance on how to tell if a relationship is healthy. Utilizing a clear three-
question framework that defines six types of relationships, participants will create sculptures
to analyze what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like in the real world. The goal is for
participants to deepen their awareness and to develop a language for discussing and asserting
expectations for healthy relationships. A self-assessment exercise in the journal helps participants
examine their own relationships.
The lesson also points out that unmet needs can sometimes lie behind unhealthy relationships. It
reinforces an earlier lesson, which emphasized that healthy relationships start with the individual
taking their own growth and development seriously.
The importance of fun in keeping healthy relationships alive and well will also be explored. Youth will
be encouraged to generate a list of fun activities to do with friends or partners.
• Analyze the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
• Develop a language for discussing healthy relationships and asserting one’s expectations.
• Assess a relationship using a three-question framework.
• Generate a list of fun activities for relationships.
5.1 How Can You Tell? (35 minutes)
Activities: Relationship Sculptures Assessing Relationships
5.2 Unmet Needs and Unhealthy Relationships (15 minutes)
Activity: Read Aloud, Brad’s Story Unmet Needs Scenarios
5.3 Having Fun (5 minutes)
Activity: Fun Brainstorm
5.4 Tips for Teens (5–10 minutes)
Trusted Adult-Teen Connection
Overview
Goals
Lesson at a Glance
Is It a Healthy Relationship?
Copyright 2023 Marline E. Pearson
This lesson offers guidance on how to tell if a relationship is healthy. Utilizing a clear three-
question framework that defines six types of relationships, participants will create sculptures
to analyze what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like in the real world. The goal is for
participants to deepen their awareness and to develop a language for discussing and asserting
expectations for healthy relationships. A self-assessment exercise in the journal helps participants
examine their own relationships.
The lesson also points out that unmet needs can sometimes lie behind unhealthy relationships. It
reinforces an earlier lesson, which emphasized that healthy relationships start with the individual
taking their own growth and development seriously.
The importance of fun in keeping healthy relationships alive and well will also be explored. Youth will
be encouraged to generate a list of fun activities to do with friends or partners.
• Analyze the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
• Develop a language for discussing healthy relationships and asserting one’s expectations.
• Assess a relationship using a three-question framework.
• Generate a list of fun activities for relationships.
5.1 How Can You Tell? (35 minutes)
Activities: Relationship Sculptures Assessing Relationships
5.2 Unmet Needs and Unhealthy Relationships (15 minutes)
Activity: Read Aloud, Brad’s Story Unmet Needs Scenarios
5.3 Having Fun (5 minutes)
Activity: Fun Brainstorm
5.4 Tips for Teens (5–10 minutes)
Trusted Adult-Teen Connection
Overview
Goals
Lesson at a Glance
Is It a Healthy Relationship?
