Teen Romantic Relationships: As They See It

Reviews

Highly Recommended This revealing documentary confronts the issues involving romantic teenage courtships and dating focusing on their relevance in defining and building relationships that are healthy and lasting. Viewers get a glance at the complications and challenges that teenagers face when starting, navigating and maintaining these affairs of the heart. Emphasis is placed on the distinction between respectable and unhealthy relationships and how individuals can communicate agreed upon boundaries that evoke trust and equality for all involved. This DVD comes with Teacher Resource materials that make learning objectives clear and help promote classroom discussions. Student activities are included in these materials and make the DVD thought-provoking and comprehensive. This allows students the opportunity to reflect on their own relationship behaviors. This title is highly recommended.

- Hope Marie Cook, Curriculum Center Librarian, Eastern Connecticut State University
Educational Media Reviews Online (EMRO)

This well-produced program presents a practical, real-life look at high school dating, covering such topics as the basis for a healthy relationship, boundaries related to sex, the importance of communication and trust, dealing with jealousy, and the emotional difficulties of breaking up. Interviews with a variety of teens are intercut with comments from a health/sex education professional, who offers relevant explanations and advice. Teen dating is portrayed here as an overall beneficial experience that provides an opportunity to develop skills necessary for positive interactions with others (although the program also acknowledges that many high school students won’t be ready for or want to date until later, for various reasons). Bundled with a comprehensive teacher’s guide and curriculum, this is recommended.

- E. Gieschen
Video Librarian

Narrated by a health and sexuality educator, this documentary presents honest information about romantic relationships for teens in terms of dating, love, and sex. Discussions by actual teen couples and singles are divided into six chapters: "The Dating Scene," "It's On," "The Good Stuff," "The Tough Stuff," "Love and Sex," and "What's Next?" Topics such as casual hook ups, long-term relationships, commitment, communication, trust, honesty, respect, compromise, jealousy, unfaithfulness, sex before and after marriage, peer pressures, and break ups are discussed openly. Emphasis is placed on the serious aspects of romantic relationships. The strength of this program is the open and honest presentation of information by real teens. A suitable purchase to enhance teen health collections.

—Linda M. Teel, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
School Library Journal