As part of our adolescent health curriculum, each year we utilize WISE as a resource for our middle school students to further enhance our curriculum. We have been fortunate that Celine Guedj, youth program manager at WISE, makes a point to visit our school to help our students learn about the components of healthy relationships.
Recently, Celine paid us a visit and spent time with our eighth graders getting their input as to what components form a healthy relationship. Our discussion consisted of examples of relationships that may be deemed unhealthy or abusive as well as the perpetuating stereotypes that potentially lend themselves to unhealthy relationship patterns .
The role of social media was also discussed, as images portrayed on social media sites are not always appropriate nor do they always display elements of relationships that ARE healthy. Getting insight, thoughts, ideas, and opinions from our young adult population helps us to steer our conversations and to help guide our students as they navigate their social world. The goal is to encourage healthy relationship skills, which will hopefully prevent domestic violence and change the perception that stereotypes of lend themselves to.
Celine will be returning to follow up on this meaningful discussion and to discuss all types of relationships. We are looking forward to her next visit!