RelationshipsRelationships

What are the most What are the most important important

relationships to young relationships to young adults?adults?

Reginald BibbyReginald Bibby

People perceive their personal People perceive their personal relationships as most important to their relationships as most important to their happinesshappiness

What do friendships do?What do friendships do?

Enhance self –esteemEnhance self –esteem Offer emotional supportOffer emotional support Provide objective point to view to help Provide objective point to view to help

solve problemssolve problems Help people learn communication skills Help people learn communication skills

which can be applied to the workplacewhich can be applied to the workplace

What kind of research has been What kind of research has been done?done?

Research has mainly focused on family Research has mainly focused on family and on intimate “romantic” relationshipsand on intimate “romantic” relationships

Not much is known about the role of Not much is known about the role of friendshipsfriendships

Parent-Child RelationshipsParent-Child Relationships

Young adults are staying at home longer Young adults are staying at home longer now than in the generation beforenow than in the generation before

Research has shown that the more Research has shown that the more independence young adults have had in independence young adults have had in their teen years, the more likely it is that their teen years, the more likely it is that they will have a positive relationship with they will have a positive relationship with their parents , even after they move outtheir parents , even after they move out

How Does This Change How Does This Change Happen?Happen?

Systems Theory explains it this way:Systems Theory explains it this way: The family has to adjust to allow the The family has to adjust to allow the

adolescent and then the young adult to adolescent and then the young adult to changechange

Because systems don’t change easily, Because systems don’t change easily, family members have to come up with new family members have to come up with new ‘strategies for relating to one another and ‘strategies for relating to one another and for completing the work of the familyfor completing the work of the family

Such as: laundry, cooking etcSuch as: laundry, cooking etc Parents who have less need to change (ie Parents who have less need to change (ie

the ‘work’ is already divided) will be less the ‘work’ is already divided) will be less motivated to make any changesmotivated to make any changes

The Other SideThe Other Side

Arguments between parents and Arguments between parents and adolescents break down the old strategies adolescents break down the old strategies and allow the young person to become and allow the young person to become more independent by taking on new roles more independent by taking on new roles in the familyin the family

This teaches those young adults to be This teaches those young adults to be responsible so that when they do move responsible so that when they do move out, they have some life skillsout, they have some life skills

Young Adults Staying Home Young Adults Staying Home LongerLonger

Because young adults are staying home Because young adults are staying home longer, there is the potential for conflict longer, there is the potential for conflict unless both sides change unless both sides change

Young person has to balance their ‘new Young person has to balance their ‘new lives and wished for independence’ with lives and wished for independence’ with responsibility with their family responsibility with their family

It is possible to negotiate new family It is possible to negotiate new family ‘rules?”‘rules?”

Parents’ ChallengeParents’ Challenge

To accept their adult children as To accept their adult children as responsible adults who make a responsible adults who make a contribution to their familycontribution to their family

According to research only about 7% of According to research only about 7% of young adults living at home pay rentyoung adults living at home pay rent

The Solution?The Solution?

Good communication skillsGood communication skills Both sides need to compromise and come Both sides need to compromise and come

up with equitable solutionsup with equitable solutions

Workplace RelationshipsWorkplace Relationships

In Partners:In Partners: 1. Read the sections Workplace 1. Read the sections Workplace

Relationships and Mentor Relationships Relationships and Mentor Relationships (p. 90 and 91 in textbook)(p. 90 and 91 in textbook)

Work together to answer the following Work together to answer the following questions:questions:

P. 92 # 6,7,8P. 92 # 6,7,8