Should schools teach "relationship education" in addition to s*x education?

Question

Many pregnancies are a result of a woman trying to hold together a relationship that was doomed to end anyway. The result is a lifelong association with a person who has no emotional bond to her, only a DNA bond in the form of a child.

The results vary, but there is usually quite a bit of (justifiable) resentment when the man learns that he is going to be forced to deal with this woman for another 18 years.

Shouldn't young people be taught relationship dynamics in an effort to avoid making this mistake?

Answer 1

I believe that young women and men should be taught "relationship education" but maybe not quite like you think.  I think the situation you are speaking of happens, but maybe not as often as you think.  And how about teaching men to be responsible and use protection instead of just blaming the women?  If I were in charge of relationship education, I'd teach young women all the stuff that I wish someone had taught me.  And I'd teach the young men everything I wish that someone would have told the guys I've run across.

Answer 2

They should teach the WHOLE truth about the biology of sexual relations (including which hormones are released in the body and how those hormones trick the mind).  But, how can anyone teach about any form of relationships without having a successfull relationship themseleves or years of experience and wisdom from counseling marriages?   Theology of the Body would be a great place to start.  There is 2000 years of wisdom and knowledge behind it, far beyond the few years of psycho-babble the psychology field has been providing.

Answer 3

Isn't it bad enough that the schools spend so much time "teaching" students to memorize standardized test information?

School have enough to teach already, without teaching vague, situational, relationship advice.  If a woman has a child in an effort to hold together a failing relationship, it is out of panic and desperation.  I don't know of a curriculum which would combat that.

And if the man didn't want to feel resentment for 18 years, he was free to use a condom, or abstain.

If self esteem is lacking in females, there are other places to handle that- like home, church, sports, scouts, martial arts, etc.

Answer 4

In my experience, this information is thrown at kids by the way of agony aunts, tv after school programs, PSE lessons etc... and doesn't work. The reason being, if they're in denial about the state of their relationship, they don't apply what they've learnt. And a great many people will deny a relationship is in trouble until the realisation is forced on them, at which point it's too late. You can't necassarily teach objectivity about things like relationships, which is what is needed.

Answer 5

No, if you are so stupid you don't know how NOT to get pregnant, all the feel good emotionally based women's programs will not help.

Answer 6

No.

Loving, married parents are our examples of how to have healthy, loving relationships. If the parents divorce, or are mean to each other, the cast has been set. I don't think the government should further get involved in our personal lives.

Besides, I don't think most school children are old enough to grasp the concepts of mutual love and understanding. At their age, they're selfish and their hormones are raging.

Relationships take a certain amount of tolerance, and that is an anti-feminist idea. Women would be offended if girls were taught that they should learn to tolerate more.

Answer 7

I think something like this could work under  certain conditions.  Firstly, I think it has to be voluntary and has to be taught by certain trained, certified, trust-worthy professionals with clean criminal background checks.  I wouldn't want it  to be a mandatory program because a lot of parents feel that it's their job alone and don't want government professionals interfering.  But for some kids there is no parent there to guide them with relationships issues.  A guidance counselor, s*x-ed instructor, mentor, big brother, big sister, etc, may be the only one to turn too.  I myself have never gotten advice from anyone in my family about s*x or relationships.  Some parents are too bashful, some are dysfunctional due to chemical dependency, some are preoccupied like mine were.  I would like to see a program installed for the youth who really need it.

EDIT-  Here's more on why I think something is needed.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 8

I think would be a great idea. But more than anything, parents should do a big effort with kids, about how deal with damage relationships among friends, relatives and partners.

Answer 9

No. This is something people should learn for themselves. s*x is easier to teach because it almost always works the same way. The fundamental flaw of "relationship education" is that it assumes that all men and all women act the same.

If you want to teach young people a lesson like this, keep it out of the public school curriculum. Just teach it to your own kids when they come of age.

Answer 10

I never thought of that, because I was lucky enough to grow up in a healthy and stable family. So, I did learn by watching my parents and their relationship. Unfortunately not everyone has been as lucky as I was. So, maybe a relationship course the way it should be anyway could help some of the children for their future relationships. Isn't that the true reason for education anyway: to prepare a future generation for a productive and happy life?

Answer 11

No. If a woman is stupid and immature enough to get pregnant on purpose like that, that is her problem. And men need to start being smarter about who they date.

Answer 12

no, that is MY job. "relationship education" leaves a lot open for interpretation. as a parent, i would be very upset if some teacher thought it was his/her job to teach my child how to live. who's to say the curriculum wouldn't be biased? who's to say there is only one way to be in a healthy relationship? sorry, but i will not forfeit my rights as a parent, to raise my child as i see fit, to the school system. i think that s*x education is good for what it is, but that is where the school should stop and the parent should step in.

Answer 13

These are topics that parents should talk about with their kids at home. They have no place in school.

Answer 14

I believe that the curriculum at schools today should include the basics of reading, writing, history, science, math and geography.  As it stands, our children cannot read or write adequately, and their knowledge of the physical world around them is appalling.

Added to that, I believe s*x education should be provided - simply because it could save their lives.  And that must be every bit as important as reading or writing.  Yes - it should be taught by parents - but they aren't.  Plain and simple.  Evidence is in the statistics of youth std levels!  

But teaching about relationships should not be part of any curriculum.  It is 'airy fairy' at best - and as subjective as anything could ever be.  Who would teach that course?  Someone who has written a dating book?  A priest or religious figure?  There are no facts or absolutes - only personal opinions.  And I don't think there is time in the schools today to be involving students in 'courses' about personal opinion...