Dating and Setting Limits

Dating and Setting Limits What are the things a person should decide before beginning a dating relationship?

Lesson Objectives In this lesson, you will learn to: • Identify behavior in a dating relationship that will enhance the dignity relating to marriage • Establish strategies for maintaining safe and healthy dating relationships

Dating Reasons for Dating • Dating provides opportunities to develop social skills, such as communicating and interacting with a person of the opposite gender. • It allows people to learn more about themselves. • Some people discover new interests, reaffirm their values, and start thinking about the type of person with whom they might like to build a future.

Dating Infatuation and Affection • Sometimes when a teen is attracted to someone, an infatuation develops. • Although such feelings are natural, it is important not to mistake them for genuine affection.

Dating Ways of Expressing Affection • Communicating with and listening to each other • Holding hands • Hugging • Spending quality time together

Dating Deciding to Date There’s no reason to let anyone pressure you into dating if you’re not ready for it. Some teens choose not to date because: • They’re shy around persons of the opposite gender. • They have other interests or time commitments. • Their family traditions or values don’t allow it.

Dating Group Dating As a way of easing into dating, many teens go out with groups of friends of both genders. Being part of a group: • Allows teens to develop and practice their social skills without having the pressure of focusing on only one person. • Takes some of the attention away from the individual, helping him or her relax. • Relieves the pressure of being alone with someone new.

Dating What to Do on a Date • What you decide to do on a date depends on the person you are with and your common interests. • If you don’t know the person well, a movie might be a good choice. • Going out to dinner or to a school dance are also good options. • You might also try attending a sports event such as a baseball game. • When you get to know each other, you will probably find activities that both you and your date enjoy.

Dating Sports or Athletic Activities • You can consider a date that includes athletic activities such as horseback riding, cycling, hiking, and bowling. • Athletic activities promote health and provide a way for dates to share and develop common interests.

Dating Community Activities What you and your date could do within your community: • Visit the zoo or a local museum. • Go to concerts or plays. • Sign up for a painting, dancing, or photography class together at a local community center.

Charitable Activities Dating • Volunteering together can help build strong friendships and dating relationships. • It allows you and your date to contribute to the community in positive ways. • Volunteering is also a great option for group dates.

Understand the role of individual responsibility regarding personal risk behaviors. Find out who else will be there. Discuss what time your parents expect you home. Know where you’re going and what you will be doing. Avoid places where alcohol and other drugs are present. Avoid being alone with a date at home or in an isolated place. Avoiding Risk Situations Dating

Dating Relationships Healthful Behaviors in a Dating Relationship • Some teens choose to have an ongoing dating relationship with only one person. • This type of relationship may help you develop skills and behaviors that will someday help you mature into a thoughtful caring adult who can commit to a relationship. • However, remember that your teen years are a time for trying many different roles and relationships. • Although beginning and ending dating relationships can be difficult, such experiences help you mature emotionally.

Importance of Setting Limits Setting Limits • Your parents or guardians may set limits regarding your dating relationships, such as a curfew to protect your health and safety. • As you mature, you’ll need to know how to set your own limits. • You need to set limits with your date regarding places you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and what you will do. • Setting such limits and making them clear before a date helps you avoid potentially risky situations.

Setting Limits on Sexual Activity Setting Limits • Communicate your limit on sexual activity and be clear and firm about your decision to practice abstinence. • You can make this task easier by developing and rehearsing avoidance techniques and refusal skills.

Q.For which of the following reasons do students choose not to date? Quick Review • They are shy about dating issues • Their hearts have been broken before, and they need to take time and space for themselves • They are simply not interested in dating • All of the above

Quick Review - Answer A.4. All of the above Students choose not to date because they are shy about dating issues, their hearts have been broken before, and they are simply not interested in dating. Click Next to attempt another question.

Q.Which of the following does not help you to avoid high-risk dating situations? Quick Review • Knowing where you’re going and what you will be doing • Finding out who else will be there • Leaving all your money at home so you’ll be sure not to have to pay • Discussing with your parents what time you’ll be home

Quick Review - Answer A.3. Leaving all your money at home so you’ll be sure not to have to pay Avoiding high-risk dating situations requires all of the following except: Leaving all your money at home so you’ll be sure not have to pay. It’s a good idea to make sure you have money with you in case something goes wrong and you need to call home for a ride. Click Next to attempt another question.

Choose the appropriate option. Quick Review Q.It’s not particularly important to set limits in a dating relationship. True False

Quick Review - Answer A.False. To avoid potentially risky situations and to protect your health and safety, it is important to set limits in a dating relationship. Click Next to attempt another question.

Choose the appropriate option. Quick Review Q.Substance abuse plays a significant role in increasing the risk of unsafe behaviors such as sexual activity. True False

Quick Review - Answer A.True. Substance abuse plays a significant role in increasing the risk of unsafe behaviors such as sexual activity. Click Next to attempt another question.

End of Lesson 3 Click Home to view the Main menu.

Dating Infatuation and Affection • Sometimes when a teen is attracted to someone, an infatuation develops. • Although such feelings are natural, it is important not to mistake them for genuine affection. Infatuation refers to the exaggerated feelings of passion for another person.

Dating Infatuation and Affection • Sometimes when a teen is attracted to someone, an infatuation develops. • Although such feelings are natural, it is important not to mistake them for genuine affection. Affection is a feeling of fondness for someone.

Importance of Setting Limits Setting Limits • Your parents or guardians may set limits regarding your dating relationships, such as a curfew to protect your health and safety. • As you mature, you’ll need to know how to set your own limits. • You need to set limits with your date regarding places you’ll go, how you’ll get there, and what you will do. • Setting such limits and making them clear before a date helps you avoid potentially risky situations. A curfew is a set time at which you must be home at night.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! Students choose not to date because they are shy about dating issues, their hearts have been broken before, and they are simply not interested in dating. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer You have answered the question incorrectly. Go back to try again, or click Next to view the correct answer.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! Avoiding high-risk dating situations requires all of the following except: Leaving all your money at home so you’ll be sure not have to pay. It’s a good idea to make sure you have money with you in case something goes wrong and you need to call home for a ride. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! To avoid potentially risky situations and to protect your health and safety, it is important to set limits in a dating relationship. Click Next to attempt another question.

Quick Review - Answer A.Correct! Substance abuse plays a significant role in increasing the risk of unsafe behaviors such as sexual activity. Click Next to attempt another question.

Dating and Setting Limits