Building Healthy Relationship Skills in Combating Sexual Misconduct Among Youth in Contemporary Society

Titilayo Folasade Olabode; Gloria Njideka Ayantayo; PhD

doi:10.56201/jhsp.vol.11.no4.2025.pg61.68

📄 Download Paper

Building Healthy Relationship Skills in Combating Sexual Misconduct Among Youth in Contemporary Society

Titilayo Folasade Olabode, Gloria Njideka Ayantayo, PhD

Abstract

In a rapidly evolving world where societal norms and digital influences continuously reshape youth behavior, the prevalence of sexual misconduct among adolescents has become a critical concern. This paper explores the role of healthy relationship skills in combating sexual misconduct among youth in contemporary society. It highlights how a lack of self-awareness, empathy, communication, and respect for boundaries contributes significantly to misconduct such as harassment, coercion, and abuse. Through a qualitative approach, the study emphasises the importance of social-emotional learning and relationship education in preventing risky behaviours and fostering prosocial conduct. The research believes that intentional efforts by families, schools, religious institutions, and youth organisations to instill these skills would develop respectful, safe, and meaningful interpersonal relationships. The study explores the concept of healthy relationships with forms of healthy relationship skills and sexual misconduct and its forms among contemporary youth. Therefore, the study opines that if parents, educators, religious leaders, and community organizations could play a pivotal role in shaping these skills, then the combat against sexual misconduct among youth would be effective and yield positive results.

Keywords

Healthy RelationshipHealthy Relationship SkillsSexual Misconduct and

References

Arnett, J. J. Emerging Adulthood: The Winding Road from the Late Teens Through the Twenties (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.2015. Brown, Jane D., and Sharon Lamb. Developing a Healthy Media Diet: Teaching Sexual Health to Adolescents. Routledge, 2010. Cloud, Henry, and John Townsend. Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life. Zondervan, 1992. Finkelhor, David. “The Prevention of Childhood Sexual Abuse.” Future of Children, vol. 19, no. 2, 2009, pp. 169–194. Gable, Shelly L., and Harry T. Reis. “Good News! Capitalizing on Positive Events in an Interpersonal Context.” Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, vol. 42, 2010, pp. 195–257. Gross, James J., and Ross A. Thompson. “Emotion Regulation: Conceptual Foundations.” Handbook of Emotion Regulation, edited by James J. Gross, Guilford Press, 2007, pp. 3– Hinduja, Sameer, and Justin W. Patchin. Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying. Corwin Press, 2014. Johnson, David W., and Roger T. Johnson. “Creative Conflict.” Interaction Book Company, Levesque, Roger J. R. Adolescents, Sex, and the Law: Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Citizenship. American Psychological Association, 2011. Markman, Howard J., Scott M. Stanley, and Susan L. Blumberg. Fighting for Your Marriage: Positive Steps for Preventing Divorce and Preserving a Lasting Love. Jossey-Bass, 2010. Rogers, Carl R., and Richard E. Farson. “Active Listening.” Industrial Relations Center of the University of Chicago, 1957. Stein, Nan D. Bullying, Harassment, and Violence: Facing the Challenge. Teachers College Press, 2007 The Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan, 2011. (for scriptural reference). Umberson, Debra, and Jennifer Karas Montez. “Social Relationships and Health: A Flashpoint for Health Policy.” Journal of Health and Social Behavior, vol. 51, suppl. 1, 2010, pp. S54–S66. .UNESCO. Youth and Changing Realities: Rethinking the Concepts of Youth in Contemporary Society. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.2018.

Building Healthy Relationship Skills in Combating Sexual Misconduct Among Youth in Contemporary Society

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL POLICY