YOUNG PEOPLE’S RELATIONSHIPS
Supporting young people as they have their first relationship

Contents

Acknowledgements

Executive summary

1. Introduction

• 1.1 Why are we interested in young people’s relationships?
• 1.2 Definitions
• 1.3 Prevalence of relationships
• 1.4 Differences – girls and boys, sexuality and culture
• 1.5 Structure of this report

2. Literature and research on relationship support for young people

• 2.1 The availability of literature and research
• 2.2 New Zealand literature and research
• 2.3 Family and whānau
• 2.4 Friends
• 2.5 School
• 2.6 Community

3. Methodology

• 3.1 Focus groups and interviews
• 3.2 Recruiting participants
• 3.3 Ethical approval
• 3.4 Data analysis
• 3.5 Strengths and limitations of the study

4. What the participants told us

• 4.1 Introduction
• 4.2 What do you want out of a relationship?
• 4.3 What are the top relationship issues for young people?
• 4.4 What skills and information do you think teenagers need so they can develop healthy relationships?
• 4.5 Where do young people learn about relationships?
• 4.6 Where do you go if you have a relationship issue?
• 4.7 Who has the responsibility to teach young people about relationships?
• 4.8 What are effective ways to support young people with relationship issues?
• 4.9 What do you want from your parents?
• 4.10 How can parents support their young people?
• 4.11 Do you think parents find it difficult to talk about relationship issues with teenagers? What would help?
• 4.12 Differences by gender, culture and sexual orientation

5. Discussion

• 5.1 Introduction
• 5.2 Parents, family and whānau
• 5.2.1 Summary
• 5.3 Friends
• 5.4 School
• 5.4.1 Delivery of sexuality education in schools
• 5.4.2 Provision of student support in schools
• 5.4.3 A four-way partnership – young people, parents and whānau, school and community
• 5.4.4 Summary
• 5.5 Community
• 5.5.1 Summary

6. Conclusions

References

Appendix 1