Healthy Relationships, Love, Sexuality & Communication

Healthy Relationships, Love, Sexuality, & Communication  Unit Overview Communication Healthy (and dysfunctional) Relationships Love The triangular theory - by R.J. Sternberg Love Chemicals! Human Sexuality - identity, normalcy vs. variant, STIs...

Healthy Relationships, Love, Sexuality, & Communication  Unit Overview Communication Healthy (and dysfunctional) Relationships Love The triangular theory - by R.J. Sternberg Love Chemicals! Human Sexuality - identity, normalcy vs. variant, STIs 5-2  Communicaton Activity- Groups of 5 – sit around a table for a game of cards Rules: Poker : as discussed 5-3  Poker hand rules 1.Royal 2. Straight 3. Four 4. Full 5. Flush flush flush of a kind House 6. 7. Three 8. Two 9. Pair 10. High Straight of a kind pair Card 5-4  Card Game Communication - Break down Debrief: - Assumptions (same rules for everyone) We often assume based on: - based on culture - gender - age - others? How did you deal with it? (reaction?) 5-5 Communicating for a healthy relationship Communicate how we feel “It’s not what they say – it’s what we hear” Improving Communication Skills - appropriate self-closure - being a better listener - think before you speak (don’t hit send) 5-6 5-7 Characteristics of Intimate Relationships Behavioural interdependence – mutual impact Need fulfillment – social approval and reassurance Emotional attachment – feelings of love Emotional availability – ability to give and receive 5-8 Forming Intimate Relationships Families Family of origin Nuclear family Establishing Friendships Enjoyment , Trust, Respect Acceptance, Mutual assistance Understanding, Confiding, Spontaneity 5-9 Forming Intimate Relationships Significant Others, Partners, Couples (include all characteristics of friendship including these) Fascination (preoccupation) Exclusiveness (priority) Sexual desire (intimacy) Giving (when in need) Advocate (supportive) 5-10 Forming Intimate Relationships This Thing Called Love Companionate (secure, trusting attachment) Passionate (state of high arousal) Triangular Love theory Intimacy, passion, commitment The greater the above three the more positive, healthy love relationship There are many different definitions of love. How would you define it? 5-11 Forming Intimate Relationships Sternberg’s “Triangle Theory of Love” 5-12 Forming Intimate Relationships Process of falling in love follows pattern: Imprinting (evolutionary, genetic predispositions, past experience) triggers romantic reaction Attraction (neurochemicals produce feelings of euphoria) Attachment (endorphins natural opiates – secure, calm) Production of Cuddle Chemical (oxytocin – feelings of satisfaction and attachment) Other chemicals: PEA (phenylethylamine) - Pheromones 5-13 Gender Issues in Relationships Differences in Communication Styles Picking Partners Similarities Reciprocity Physical attraction What do you look for when picking a partner? 5-14 Overcoming Barriers to Intimacy Dysfunctional Families Inhibits psychological growth, self-love Obstacles to health Jealousy in Relationships Overdependence on the relationship High value placed on sexual exclusivity Severity of the threat Low self-esteem Fear of losing control 5-15 Committed Relationships Marriage Monogamy Serial monogamy Open relationships Cohabitation Common-law marriage 5-16 Committed Relationships People who have not chosen an “appropriate” partner may experience a great deal of stress Staying Single 34% of Canadian women over 65 live alone 14% of Canadian men over 65 live alone 5-17 Building Better Relationships Elements of Healthy Relationships Predictability Dependability Faith Partners interpret each other’s behaviour and mood Partners find each other interesting and have similar interests Sexual intimacy Shared history and a cherished history 5-18 When Relationships Falter When and Why Relationships End Half of all marriages end Many dating relationships will end Some end because of communication, illness, finances, unmet expectations Coping with Loneliness Reflecting can help prevent similar mistakes 5-19 Your Sexual Identity Sex – biological condition Gender – psychosocial condition Gender roles Gender identity Gender-role stereotyping Androgyny Socialization 5-20 Expressing Your Sexuality Sexual Orientation Biological Psychological Socioenvironmental 5-21 Expressing Your Sexuality Sexual orientation Heterosexual Homosexual Bisexual Homophobia – irrational fear or hatred of homosexuality 5-22 Your Sexuality Sexual Disorders Inhibited sexual desire ISD Sexual aversion disorders Sexual arousal disorders Orgasm disorders Sexual pain disorders 5-23 Your Sexuality Sexual Transmitted Infections (STI) Chlamydia Genital Herpes Human Papillomavirus (HPV) , Gonorrhea Syphilis HIV 5-24 STI – Mode of transmission Generally through sexual contact – Vaginal, anal intercourse Decreasing likelihood – Oral – genital contact – Hand genital contact – Mouth to mouth (rare) Most pathogens prefer dark moist places. Protect yourself – Use a condom (properly) 5-25 Direct Contact Given your age and the stage of your life, how susceptible are your really? Activity 5-26 Expressing Your Sexuality Variant Sexual Expression Group sex Transvestitism Transsexualism Fetishism Sadomasochism Autoerotic asphyxiation Exhibitionism Voyeurism Pedophilia 5-27 Difficulties That Can Hinder Sexual Functioning Drugs and Sex Alcohol can inhibit sexual response Tendency to blame the drug for bad behavior “Date Rape Drugs” Rohypnol (“roofies”) Gamma-hydroxybutrane (GHB) 5-28