1) How we behave in relationships.
Purpose: To explore what behaviors are considered acceptable and unacceptable
TIME: 45 minutes
Materials: One large sheet of paper, two small sheets of paper, six pieces of card 1. Write ‘acceptable’ on one small sheet of paper and ‘unacceptable’ on the other. Write the following statements on the cards:
To do things to please your partner to have sex without being in love
To hit each other
To be sexually faithful to each other
To have sex with lots of different people
To tell lies to your partner if you think the truth will hurt them
Procedure:
1.Draw a line on the floor or on a large sheet of paper. Put the sheet of paper with ‘acceptable’ at one end, and the one with ‘unacceptable’ at the other end.
2. Divide the participants into small groups of five or six. Give each group one of the statement cards.
3. Ask the groups to discuss their statement card and to decide where they would place it on the continuum between acceptable and unacceptable.
4. Then ask one person in the first group to read out their statement card and to say where their group would place it on the continuum. Ask if everyone in their group agreed. Do this for each group and statement card.
Discussion: Then ask the whole group about how they feel about where the cards are placed. Discussion points What do they think about the statements on the cards? How did the reactions of others affect what they thought and where they agreed to place their card? Has anyone changed their mind after listening to the opinions of others?
2) Positive and negative aspects of relationships.
Purpose: To explore the good things about relationships and risk
Time: 30 minutes
Materials: Large sheet of paper
Copy this table onto a large sheet of paper.
| Type of relation | Positive aspects | Risks |
| Relationship- emotional | ||
| Physical relation |
Brainstorm upon the positive emotional and physical benefits and risks of relationships and sexual activity.
Together with a group or individually complete the table.
Ask: Are the positive benefits of a relationship the same as the positive benefits of sexual activity? If not, in what way do they differ? Are the risks the same or different?
Ask the group or yourself to think of a situation in which a young person knows the risks but decides not to take any precautions.
Ask: Why might they do this? Think of a situation in which a young person is unable to take precautions. Why are young people sometimes unable to take precautions? How can the situation be changed?
3) Young Men and Role Models
PURPOSE: To help young men think about being a man, a father and a son
TIME: 30 minutes
Ask the group:
How much time do you spend with your father each day?
If your father is not around, is there someone else who does what a father should do?
How much time do you spend with him?
Would you like to spend more time with your father?
What should fathers do? What is the best thing about your relationship with your father?
What is the worst thing?
At what age would you like to be a father?
How would you behave differently from your own father?
What do you think you would find difficult?
