1. Stay in touch with your own feelings during the conversation
Most discussions arise from a feeling of not being understood. Stay true to yourself and your feelings during the conversation and ask young people to do the same.
Let young people gain experience: relationships are learning experiences.
2. Setting boundaries
Negotiate boundaries together and respect them. This will teach young people to set boundaries in other situations as well.
3. Recognise and accept your own feelings
Encourage young people to recognise and accept their feelings. This will help them to stand up for their needs.
INLINE ARTICLE RELATED TO THE MAIN ARTICLE BY LAILA SCHLÄFLI
4. Seek dialogue and practise
Encourage young people to seek dialogue. Work together to develop «I» messages. Honesty is important: don't criticise, but express wishes (for example, «I need space», not «You're suffocating me»).
5. Promote self-acceptance
Support young people in liking themselves by emphasising their positive qualities and working together to identify their strengths.
Legal issues
This means, for example, that relationships between 14- and 18-year-olds or between 12- and 16-year-olds are not permitted. In such cases, the older person is liable to prosecution.
The age of consent also applies to the display of pornographic content: this may not be shown to anyone under the age of 16.
6. Boost your sexual confidence
Show an open attitude towards getting to know your own sexuality. This strengthens sexual self-confidence.
7. Gain experience
Let young people gain experience: relationships are learning experiences.
Help online:
- At lilli.ch, young people and adults can seek anonymous advice online. There is also lots of information and advice on sexuality, contraception and first relationships.
- Queer specialist services: Milchjugend: milchjugend.ch
- Rainbow House in Zurich: dasregenbogenhaus.ch
