LESSON 4.

I CAN MANAGE

Discuss the following questions with your partner.

A. How did you respond to the invitation? How did your partner respond?
B. What made you consider your decisions?
C. How do you make good decision when faced with a challenging problem?

DEVELOPING DECISION-MAKING SKILLS

Decision-making skills are techniques that enable a person to decide the appropriate steps to do when faced
with a difficult situation. Teenagers like you need these skills in order to avoid giving in to negative
influences. Decision-making starts in asking yourself questions that will help you determine the
consequences of possible actions. Here is an example of list of questions that you may ask yourself.

When faed with a peer influence, ask yourself,

A. Does it violate my sexuality?
B. Is it against my values?
C. Will it hurt me in any way?
D. Will it hurt other people in any way?

If the answer is “yes”, it means that the influences is negative, you should not give it might harm you or
other people.
Before deciding what to do, ask yourself again:
A. What are the possible consequences of my actions?
B. Am I ready for these consequences?
C. Can I stand by my decision?

Developing Resistance Skills

Aside good decision-making, resistance skills are also important to stay away from negative influences.
From the world resistance, these skills enable the person to stand firm against the negative influence. Read
the scenario below.
Follow these steps:
1. Say no to the person.
2. Suggest an alternative activity.
3. If the person still forces you, walk away.

Keeping Healthy Sexuality

It is also important to know ways of keeping your sexuality healthy. Below are some examples.
A. Continue discovering yourself.
B. Take note of your strength and weaknesses.
C. Share yourself and be open.
D. Know your support system.

Making meaning
Decision-making - skills that enable a person to decide appropriate action and response to certain situation.
Resistance skills - skills that enable a person to reject any negative influence.

Wrapping-Up
 Decision-making and resistance skills are important to develop because they strengthen a person’s
ability to stay away from negative influences.
 Decision-making starts with asking yourself questions before taking any action. In this way, you will be
be able to weigh the consequences of your possible steps. Resistance skills enable you to stand firm
with your decision and reject a possible negtaive influence that may harm you or other people.
 It is important to know yourself better so that you will be able to identify what you are good at and what
you should improve on. In addition, respect towards other people’s sexuality and personality is also key
towards a positive and healthy environment.
 Having a web of support will help you overcome your problems and challenges.

LESSON 5: LIFE PARTNERS

Forming Deeper Relationships

DATING COURTING STAGE GETTING ENGAGED

DATING
 Courtship begins with dating. Dating is a socialization process that allows a person to know another
person better and deeper by spending time with one another doing different activities they both find
MARRIAGE
interesting and enjoy. Dating also enables a person to discover more about himself or herself. Two
people who are dating plan activities to explore each other’s personalities.
Examples:
 Watching movie
 Eating out
 Attending parties
 Playing sports or engaging in leisgurely activities
 Attending famiky gathering
 Going to church

Dating must also have guidelines and limitations, here are some tips to keep dating safe between two people.
A. Inform your parent/s or guardian/s about the identity of the person you are dating. They may discuss with
you if the person is appropriate for you or not.
B. Inform your parents/s or guardian/s about your dating plans. Dating should not cause your absence in
family gathering nor conflicts between any of your relatives.
C. Set limits for yourself and inform your partner of these limitations. Decide on the appropriate time of
going home when dating.
D. Establish a personal set of values towards dating. You are responsible for your actions when dating.
Remember that your behavior during dating is crucial to you and your dating partner. You learned in the
previous unit that people who become too intimate with each other tend to engage in risky behavior such as
premarital sex. If your personal values are violated, it might be a sign that the person you are dating is not
the right one for you.
E. Make sure tha mutual respect exists between you and your dating partner.

Making meaning
Socialization - the activity of interacting with others in a social setting
Courtship - the period during which a couple spend time together doing activities and developing romantic
relationship , which may be lead to engagement and marriage.