Romantic relationships in chilean adolescents

A necessary emotional dimension in human development

Resumen

This work questions the current programs of sexuality and adolescent affectivity education of the Chilean school system, since the existence of romantic relationships is not considered as a previous dimension and basic substratum of the subsequent affective development of the human being. In understanding this problem, the model of the triangular theory of Sternberg and its heuristic categories are assumed.

In this study, an analysis of the emotional relationships of adolescents in the Biobío region is presented, through the application of a questionnaire with 38 questions to a sample of students from district and subsidized schools. The results let affirm that affective, idealized and without major sexual-erotic commitment aspects are predominant.

It is expected that the product of this study will help redirect this process; Hence, there is a need for an educational, guiding, formative and integral view, aimed at strengthening the development of high school students, where current sexuality and affectivity programs do not respond to their youth needs and concerns according to the stage of discovery and growth in which these subjects are.