Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships




Objective(s) & Context

1. Provide an environment for exploring the role and presence of conflict in the lives of the participants.

2. Identify unhealthy dynamics in relationships.

3. Explore options for dealing with conflict.

 

Duration

40–60 minutes, depending on group size

 

Group Size

10–30

 

Age Group

13 +

 

Skills

Communication, analytical, social and co-operative skills

 

Format(s) & Technique(s)

Small group, large group, using scenarios (case studies), brainstorming

 

Materials

Flip chart

Markers

Copies of the Healthly vs. Unhealthy Relationship Scenarios: Referece Sheet and copies of the Healthy vs. Unhealthly Relationships & Conflict Management: Reference Sheet to distribute to the small groups in Part 1

 

Facilitation Tips

  • You may need to create your own scenarios depending on the realities of the community you work in. You can also tweak the scenarios according to age and group realities. For example, if you are working with participants who have survived abuse, consider the scenarios in advance and be aware of what might trigger difficult emotional reactions. We have also included alternative options within the scenario to help relate to the experiences of different groups.

  • Other types of scenarios that focus more on relationships with parents, friends, brothers or sisters, etc. could also be used.

  • This activity can easily bring up painful experiences for participants. It is recommended that this activity be lead by someone with strong facilitation skills.

  • You may want to consider having an external facilitator come do the workshop if you feel that you are not equipped for any reason.

  • Have resources on hand to share with the group: information about the school counsellor, local health clinics, or pamphlets on healthy relationships, abuse, rights in relationships, etc.

  • With younger groups, use the Reference Sheets as a facilitator guide to lead discussions and provide input during the activity. With older groups, the Reference Sheets can be used as hand-outs during Part 1 to inform their discussion and analysis of relationship scenarios.

 

Popular Education Prompts

  • You may want to take note of the themes that arise in the conversation in order to follow-up with another workshop that responds more directly to the needs that emerge. These themes are important in facilitating the next steps in healthy relationships and helping the group decide how they want to take action.

  • You may need to bring in additional information to respond to themes or questions raised in the group.

 

Leading the Activity: Steps to Take

Preparation:

  • Create a flip chart with two columns, one titled “Healthy Love,” the other titled “Unhealthy Love.”

  • Prepare copies of the Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationship Scenarios: Reference Sheet.

  • Prepare copies of the Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships & Conflict Management: Reference Sheet.

 

Workshop:

There are three parts to this activity.

 

Part 1: Large Group Brainstorm

  1. Post the prepared flip chart titled “Healthy Love,” the other titled “Unhealthy Love.”

  2. Ask the participants to brainstorm attributes that fall into each of these categories. Use the Reference Sheet as a guide if necessary.

 

Part 2: Small Group Work

  1. Divide participants into small groups of 3–5 persons.

  2. Provide them with copies of the Scenarios.

  3. Ask each group to read over the Scenarios and using the list of attributes for a healthy or unhealthy love, ask them to identify what attributes are represented in the scenario.

  4. Using the flip chart paper, have participants write down the results of their discussion. An alternative way of sharing the results of their discussion could be through drawing, acting, miming, etc. Be creative with your ideas, but make sure the messages they are sharing are clear.

 

Part 3: Large Group Discussions

  1. Ask all the participants to sit in a circle.

  2. In turn, ask each group to present the results of their discussion with the large group.

  3. Lead a large group discussion using the suggested questions below:

    • Would anyone like to share examples of conflict that can happen in a relationship (with a friend, partner, parent, etc.)?

    • How can these be turned into positive experiences? Positive experiences can be supported through good communication, knowing one’s boundaries, active listening, etc.

    • Using the Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships & Conflict Management: Reference Sheet ask if anyone wants to talk about the differences between assertiveness, passivity, and aggression?

    • Help deepen the understandings by providing examples or ask them to share an example.

 

Debriefs

Questions to ask the group:

  • How did this activity make you feel?

  • What did you learn or find useful from this activity?

  • How can we support healthy relationships?

  • What are the barriers to healthy relationships?

  • Can we act on these barriers? How?

 

Success Indicators

Participants are:

  • Comfortable exploring ideas around personal conflicts

  • Able to explain unhealthy dynamics in relationships

  • Able to identify different ways of dealing with conflict

 

 

Source: Joanna Lehrer, Inuvik Youth Centre