Families Today

Chapter 26: Relationship Decisions

Chapter Summaries with Key Terms and Academic Vocabulary

Chapter Summary

Section 26.1 You and Your Friends

Friends are an important part of life. They give emotional support. They are role models and provide a safe way to practice roles. Friendships across different ages and ethnic and cultural backgrounds can enrich life. Qualities that help promote friendship include a positive attitude. Others include being accepting, caring, and courteous. Friendships last when each person benefits from the relationship. Peer pressure is an attempt to influence someone in a similar age group. It can be positive or negative. Resisting negative peer pressure takes courage.

Section 26.2 First Steps to Love

People learn to love by receiving and observing it. There are stages in learning to love. A couple experiences attraction. They start spending time together either in a peer social group or through dating. Dating offers a chance to learn new skills and knowledge. It can be difficult for many people. A dating relationship should be ended if it involves physical or emotional abuse. Infatuation and mature love are different kinds of relationships with different characteristics. It is often necessary but never easy to end a relationship that is not working for one or both partners.

Content and Academic Vocabulary