Whittlesea CALD Communities Family Violence Research Report 2012 | Page 32

31

In order to generate discussion the groups undertook a number of activities led by the Whittlesea
Community Connections’ Youth Worker for newly arrived young people.
?

?

First, they were asked to brainstorm words that could be used to describe a ‘healthy’ or
‘respectful’ relationship then they were asked to brainstorm words that could be used to
describe an ‘unhealthy relationship’;
Second, they were given two scenarios taken from the Be the Hero! Program and asked a series
of questions regarding the scenarios.

Task 1
The girls group came up with eleven adjectives to describe a ‘healthy relationship’:
?
?
?
?
?
?

shared values;
commitment;
respect;
helping;
caring;
encouragement

?
?
?
?
?

honesty;
fairness;
love;
sharing;
communication;

The boys group also came up with eleven of the same or similar adjectives to describe a ‘healthy
relationship’.
Both groups, probably due to their young age, when asked to describe a ‘relationship’ emphasised
relationships between siblings, children and parents, friends, cousins, teachers and students rather
than boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife relationships.
The girls group required more prompting to come up with adjectives to describe an ‘unhealthy
relationship’ (although one girl described this task as ‘easy’ in comparison to describing a ‘healthy’
relationship). ‘Bullying’ and in particular ‘cyber-bullying’ was mentioned by both groups and was a
topic they said had been discussed extensively in school. Both groups thought ‘physical’ and other’
bullying’ behaviour could occur within relationships.
The boys group was able to come up with three times as many adjectives and behaviours to describe
an ‘unhealthy relationship’ as the girls group including:
?
?
?

cheating/infidelity;
not trusting each other;
fighting/arguing;

?
?
?

lack of communication;
selfishness;
financial abuse;

Both groups were asked whether they thought it was important to discuss ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’
relationships and why.
The boys group agreed that it was important to discuss ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ relationships to
prevent making mistakes that ‘…might wreck future relationships’. The girls group were less sure of
the value of discussing ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ relationships. One girl said that it was important
because it was important to ‘know what to expect’ before entering a relationship while the other
said she didn’t care.