University of Exeter study author: 'Our research shows schools need improved support to run relationships education'

Experts from the University of Exeter have recommended that children receive lessons in school on building strong relationships to counteract negative role models and unrealistic portrayals of love. The interdisciplinary study, conducted in 2022 by Simon Benham-Clarke, Jan Ewing, Anne Barlow and Tamsin Newlove-Delgado, emphasizes the importance of integrating relationship education into school curricula to promote good health and well-being.

In today's digital age, children are exposed to a wide range of influences, including media portrayals and online content that often present an idealized and "Disneyfied" version of love and relationships. As a result, there is a growing concern among experts about the impact of such influences on children's understanding and expectations of relationships.

The study emphasizes the need for schools to play a pivotal role in shaping children's perceptions of healthy relationships and offering a realistic perspective.

"Our research shows schools need improved support to run relationships education, including specialist expertise and resources, and guidance on signposting pupils to external sources of help," Benham-Clarke said, according to the University of Exeter. "Positive relationship behaviors should be modeled, integrated and built on throughout curricula nationally and reflected in a school’s ethos."

To explore the effectiveness of relationship education, the researchers conducted focus groups with 24 young people aged between 14 and 18, as well as ten relationship professionals from the South West region. The findings revealed unanimous recognition of the significance of schools supporting young people in building healthy relationships. According to Professor Anne Barlow, the study demonstrates that schools can significantly contribute to improving relationship outcomes for pupils beyond the classroom setting.

"Those we surveyed felt schools could improve relationship outcomes for pupils in other ways beyond the relationship education lesson, such as having someone to talk to, in person and in private," Barlow told the University of Exeter. "Others wanted signposting and information about sources of help outside the school setting."

The study suggests that relationship education should start at an early age, preferably in primary schools. By teaching children about healthy friendships and relating well to others from a young age, they can develop vital life skills that will serve them well in the future.

"While young people’s families were seen as the primary source of learning about healthy relationships, there was clear support for schools' role to augment this, as not all families exhibit healthy relationships," Ewing said, according to the University of Exeter.

The researchers also addressed concerns about age-appropriateness, with some young participants expressing worries that early education about romantic relationships could put unnecessary pressure on their peers. Hence, the study emphasizes the gradual introduction of relationship education, starting with friendship and family relationships, and progressing to romantic relationships in later years of schooling.

In addition to helping children develop skills in communication, empathy, conflict resolution and respect, relationship education is seen as a valuable tool for those from challenging backgrounds.

"Participants also felt that talking about family and peer relationships should come first, building up to later discussions about romantic relationships in later years at school, with some highlighting links between patterns of relationship behavior," Newlove-Delgado told the University of Exeter.

The researchers argue that a comprehensive relationship education approach, coupled with appropriate counseling support, can be particularly beneficial for children whose parents are in conflict, providing them with crucial coping mechanisms and support.

As policymakers and educators seek to foster healthier and more fulfilling relationships among the younger generation, the study offers valuable insights into the importance of relationship education within school systems. By integrating these essential lessons, schools can become crucial catalysts for shaping children's understanding of love and relationships, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and mental health.