Navigating Teen Relationahips: Dating

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Welcome to "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans," the podcast dedicated to empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Let's dive into the complexities of teen dating. This episode is the first in our new series on understanding and supporting our teens as they navigate romantic relationships. Stick around until the end to find out how you can join our email series and gain access to all the resources we’ll discuss today.

Teen dating today is vastly different from when we were teenagers, even down to the terminology. Remember the bases? That concept is completely outdated now. If that realization alone surprises you, it's a wake-up call to the need for defining experiences and expectations for our teens. I’ve created resources to help teens define roles and experiences in their romantic connections. While we may not fully catch up, it's critical to help them understand what terms mean individually and within their relationships. Misunderstandings can lead to uncomfortable experiences, such as differing interpretations of "hook-up."

As a teacher and a parent, I realized I wasn't great at asking for consent. How could I expect my children or students to understand and practice consent in critical situations if they weren't exposed to it from me? I've since changed my behavior and shared how parents can better ask for and respect consent, giving children the opportunity to express it. This is one of the key areas we cover in our resources.

So, what are some of the key points covered in our resource on understanding teen dating? Let’s break it down:

Understanding Terms and Definitions:

• Activity: Teens are asked to define several relationship terms.

• Example: They then compare their definitions with their friends or romantic partners to identify any misalignments. For instance, one teen might think "dating" means exclusivity, while another might see it as casual.

Self-Reflection on Relationships:

• Activity: Teens consider statements like, "I have no regrets about my relationships or my behavior in a relationship."

• Example: Encouraging self-awareness and thoughtful reflection on past and current relationships helps teens understand their actions and their impact.

Emphasis on Consent:

• Activity: Teaching the importance of understanding and expressing consent.

• Example: Discussing how to ask for and give consent in various situations. One parent shared how their daughter effectively handled a challenging situation because of a conversation we had about integrity. It was comforting to know she had that resource.

Realistic Conversations:

• Activity: Acknowledging that teens may be in sexual relationships rather than just romantic ones with a sexual component.

• Example: Engaging in these conversations proactively, before situations arise, to prepare teens. This includes talking about the emotional and physical aspects of relationships.

Scenario-Based Discussions:

• Activity: Using scenarios to help teens think through potential situations and their responses.

• Example: Building their ability to handle real-life situations based on prior discussions. For example, what to do if a partner pressures them into something they're not comfortable with.

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of "Leaders of Today: Teens to Titans." If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with other parents who might benefit from this conversation. Together, we can support our teens in navigating their relationships and becoming the leaders of tomorrow.