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Relationships

Submitted Lesson Plans

Unit 1: Photograph

Questions About the Photograph

1. Describe what you see in the picture?
2. Where do you think this photograph was taken?
3. In your opinion, at what age is a person responsible enough to engage in a healthy relationship?

A Quote

There's one sad truth in life I've found
While journeying east and west -
The only folks we really wound
Are those we love the best.
We flatter those we scarcely know,
We please the fleeting guest,
And deal full many a thoughtless blow
To those who love us best.

- Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Idiom

an old flame

"I'm happily married to an old flame from high school".

Unit 2: Reading And video

How Men and Women See The World - From Different Angles!

I am about to embark on a generalization about men and woman, and why each sees things differently from the other. I am not trying to be factual in my generalizations, or to submit to you a cleverly crafted piece of rhetorical essay with the latest scientific evidences to back up my reasoning. No! I'm simply sharing with you opinions and beliefs about gender differences that was taken from my own personal observations and life experiences. As a man, I am of the opinion that women are more concerned with beauty, with cleanliness and with how things look (or ought to look). All woman tend to have a motherly disposition, they are more emotional and fragile than us men, and they are generally more receptive to what is going on around them.

A possible explanation for our gender differences can be traced back to the beginning of time. Throughout human history, men have traditionally the role of family heads and community leaders. They are the hunter and gatherer, the ones responsible for the safety, protection, and for supplying for the needs of their families. Woman on the other hand have been responsible for nurturing the family, for maintaining the nest and providing a clean and happy environment for the man to come home to. Though our society has made significant changes, particularly in the last 50 years or so; unfortunately our prehistoric tendencies have not changed. Understanding these tendencies and knowing how they continue to impact our relationships with the opposite sex is the key to understanding how our better half sees the world.

We men need to keep in mind that our wives are sensitive to issues of cleanliness. We need to be aware how we affect (or mess up) our surroundings, and for this reason, we need to help keep things clean for the sake of our wives. It may sound incredulous to many men that our marriages can be stronger if we played our part in helping to keep our homes clean. From my own observations, wives are generally a lot more happier if we occassionally offer to do the dishes, mow the lawn or take out the garbage. However, woman need to understand that men thrive on being appreciated for their talents and ability. Have you praised and encouraged your husband lately? We men tend to see the world as a place where things need to be fixed up and made better, as a result we go around looking for broken things to fix - we put all our time and resources into our work, projects and personal hobbies. We don't need the praise or recognition of others, but we need to know that our wives appreciate our efforts and hard work.

The key to a successful relationship with the opposite sex, whether you're married or you're in the dating stage is communication! Communication simply means that both husbands and wives need to be flexible and open to things been done - and why they need to be done! We may not understand or find all the answers to the "why" part, but by trying to understand that our spouses see things from a slightly different perspective, we are truly practicing communication and trying to see the world as our better half sees it.

Vocabulary Practice

generalizations: A reason that is not supported by detailed facts, but in general terms.
rhetoric: A type of questioning technique or way of speaking that seeks to persuade the audience.
disposition: a usual or habitual mood.
better half: the husband or wife of a married person.
incredulous: unbelieving.

Questions

1. What is the writers general opinion about woman in the first paragraph? Do you agree or disagree with his reasoning?
2. How does our prehistoric tendencies affect the quality of our relationship with the opposite sex?
3. It is often argued that it is unreasonable to expect couples to stay married for life in this day and age. The pressure to pusue personal freedom and happiness outweighs the necessity to make a marriage work. Do you think this is a reasonable argument or a lame excuse for infidelity (been unfaithful)?