 Is it normal for your boyfriend to call you 24/7? Is it okay to say no? Should you feel safe in a relationship? What rights and responsibilities do you have in a dating relationship? These were some of the questions explored through an interactive play for youth by youth, presented in late April during the Youth Theatre Fest in Austin, Texas.
Programs of several Austin high schools and middle schools, including those of three 21st CCLC-affiliated schools (Johnston High School, Mendez Middle School, and Pearce Middle School), partner with the Changing Lives Youth Theatre Company, a group of high-school students impacted by domestic and/or dating violence. The goal of this partnership is to raise awareness about healthy relationships and dating violence prevention through theatre. Students participated in a unique and engaging three-day Youth Theatre Fest, including presentation of the interactive play Unmask the Unseen, produced by the Theatre Action Project and SafePlace. Student actors acted out typical dating scenarios. As the stories unfolded, the moderator would pause the scene and discuss with students in the audience the situation taking place and how each character could respond to it appropriately. One scenario depicted a girl with a controlling boyfriend, another told the story of a girl who was raped after being peer- pressured into taking drugs, and a third showed an inappropriate encounter between a boy and his ex-girlfriend during a party. The interaction between the student actors on stage and the observers in the crowd allowed for a very engaging and high-energy exchange of opinions, advice, and knowledge about abusive relationships. The play was shared with over 2,000 youth and adults in Central Texas.
At this important developmental stage, facilitating education through performance art is one of the many great benefits of afterschool programs. Interactive performances such as these create a comfortable sharing environment for kids and empower youth to educate each other about mutual respect, confidence, self-esteem, human rights, and other topics relevant and essential to all.
CLICK HERE to see a slideshow of the event and to view more TAP pictures taken by Carol Parks
SHARE THIS IMPORTANT DATING INFORMATION WITH YOUR STUDENTS TOO:
DATING BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You have certain rights and responsibilities in a dating relationship. Here are some examples. Personalize these for yourself, and make a commitment to stick to them.
I have the right:
To be treated with respect always
To be in a healthy relationship
To not be abused – physically, sexually, or emotionally
To keep my body, feelings, beliefs, and property to myself
To have friends and activities apart from my boyfriend or girlfriend
To set limits and values
To say no
To feel safe in the relationship
To be treated as an equal
To feel comfortable being myself
I have the responsibility:
To determine my limits and values
To respect my boyfriend’s or girlfriend’s limits, values, feelings, and beliefs
To refuse to abuse – physically, sexually, or emotionally
To be considerate
To communicate clearly and honestly
To give my boyfriend or girlfriend space to be his or her own person
To not abuse power or control in the relationship
To compromise when needed
To admit to being wrong when appropriate
To ask for help from friends, family, and trusted adults
WARNING SIGNS OF DATING VIOLENCE
Does one person in the relationship:
Act extremely jealous?
Monitor the other person or tell him or her how to act?
Break or hit things or lose his or her temper verbally?
Threaten to break up to intimidate or control the other?
Blame the other for his or her own problems?
THIS IS AN ABUSER
Does the other person in the relationship:
Constantly cancel plans or things that are important to him or her?
Always worry about making his or her boyfriend/girlfriend angry?
Show signs of physical abuse?
Feel pressured about sex, or feel like a sex object?
Become isolated from friends or family?
THIS IS A VICTIM |
