 Reasons for dating:  1. Dating is one way for teens to get to know each other.  2. Some teens decide to date because they want to develop friendships.  3. Some teens date to find companionship and support.  4. Others date to explore the characteristics they would like in a future spouse.

 Benefits of dating:  1. Dating allows you to find out what different types of people are like.  2. Dating also helps you find out to whom you relate more easily.  3. You learn how to resolve disagreements and communicate more effectively.  4. Dating provides emotional support during a challenging period of your life.

 Developing healthy relationships:  1. The first step is to treat the people you date with respect and require that they treat you with respect.  2. Healthy relationships develop gradually.  3. Initial attraction to friendship to close friendship to deep friendship to lifelong love is the path that healthy relationships usually follow.  Finding the right person:  1. One of the most important things to know about a potential date is the quality of the person’s character.

 2. Look for a friend or dating partner who: is unselfish, treats others well, is tolerant and respectful, has similar morals and values, is fun to be with, and respects himself or herself.  Avoiding the wrong person – do not date someone who: hurts you physically or emotionally, doesn’t respect your morals and values, makes you feel badly about yourself, or who is jealous or possessive.  Being the right person: integrity, character, respectful, honest, trustworthy, generous, and not possessive.

 When young people are ready to date, they often begin dating in groups. This is a good idea because it allows you to get to know the other person without the pressure of being alone. Dating in groups also reduces the pressure to participate in high risk behaviors.

 The ability to make good decisions about sexual activity is very important not only to your current and future romantic relationships, but also to your health.  Sexual and emotional intimacy is a positive, pleasurable part of a married adult relationship.  Sexual intimacy means sharing sexual feelings and sexual contact.  Teen relationships, however, should focus on emotional intimacy. Emotional intimacy means sharing thoughts and feelings, caring for and respecting others, and learning to trust one another.

 Abstinence means the conscious decision not to participate in a behavior and having the skills to support that decision.  Remaining abstinent until you are in a stable, committed relationship, such as marriage, will help you avoid feeling regretful later. You don’t have to worry about STDs. You will avoid becoming a single parent. You can more easily focus on school and on accomplishing long-term personal, family, and career goals.

 If you plan ahead, you can learn how to successfully resist the pressures to be sexually active.  Most teens experience two general types of pressure to be sexually active. Internal pressure is an impulse a person feels to engage in a behavior. External pressure is pressure a person feels from another person or from a group to engage in a behavior.

 Internal pressure comes from within oneself. All of us have an instinctive interest in sexual activity because sex is necessary for reproduction and the survival of humanity. Although teens experience an increase in hormone levels, it is important to remember that we all have self-control.  External sources of pressure to be sexually active include boyfriends or girlfriends, the media, and your peers.  Set firm personal limits for yourself about sexual activity. Tell your dating partner when you begin dating that you have made a commitment to remain sexually abstinent.

 Avoid pressure situations by identifying situations that could lead to sexual activity, by avoiding drinking alcohol or taking illegal drugs, and by looking for dating partners who share your values about abstinence.  Refusing verbally and Nonverbal Verbal refusals: 1. Clearly identify the problem. 2. State your thoughts and feelings about the problem. 3. State what you would like to happen instead. 4. Explain the results if the change in plans is made. 5. Explain the results if the change in plans is not made.

 Use a firm tone of voice and be clear that you mean what you say.  Nonverbal refusal 1. Your body language should match what you are saying. 2. Stand up straight, and look the other person in the eyes while talking. 3. Avoid laughter or other nervous behaviors, such as fidgeting. If someone you are dating continues to pressure you to do something you do not want to do, stop dating that person. The continued pressure shows they don’t have your best interests at heart.

 A protective factor is anything that decreases the likelihood of someone engaging in a risky behavior.  Top 5 protective factors:  1. making a personal commitment to remain abstinent.  2. A close relationship with parents or guardians.  3. Being involved in school activities.  4. Good performance in school.  5. Practicing religious beliefs.

 A risk factor is anything that increases the likelihood of injury, disease, or other negative health problems. Some of the most common risk factors for sexual activity include:  1. Alcohol and drugs  2. Dating older people  3. Sexually active friends  4. Previous sexual activity  There are many ways to show someone affection other than by being sexually active. Examples include making each other inexpensive gifts, spending time in conversation, just being together, supporting each other in good and bad times, sharing common interests, and supporting each other’s individual interests.