Does Youth Relationship Education Make Cents?
In an increasingly complex world, shaped by both physical and digital interactions, youth face intricate challenges navigating their relationships – with friends, family, and romantic partners. This webinar explores the crucial role of Youth Relationship Education (YRE) can play at helping them successfully navigate at home, work and in their romantic relationships. It will dive into what's truly possible when young people are equipped with essential relational skills, unpack the innovative programs and initiatives already making waves, and critically examine the latest research. The presentation will answer burning questions: Are youth even interested in learning about healthy relationships? Does it really make a difference in their lives? And what are some possible solutions and funding sources to address the need.
Time Markers
00:00 – Welcome and introduction to the Stronger Marriage webinar featuring Aaron Larson
00:47 – Aaron Larson's background and experience in marriage and family education
03:39 – Why relationship education should begin before marriage and adulthood
07:38 – What is youth relationship education, and why does it matter?
09:01 – How unhealthy relationships, teen pregnancy, and dating violence can affect young people's futures
10:54 – Five essential components of comprehensive youth relationship education
11:19 – Knowing yourself and recognizing the characteristics of healthy relationships
13:13 – Developing communication and conflict management skills
14:39 – Pregnancy prevention and understanding family formation through the eyes of a child
16:40 – Why youth relationship education matters for career readiness and workforce success
20:05 – How relationship education supports student engagement and lifelong learning
21:36 – The financial and societal costs of unhealthy relationships and teen pregnancy
24:23 – Does youth relationship education work? Examining the research
26:38 – Love Notes research findings: A reported 46% reduction in teen pregnancy likelihood
28:54 – Additional findings on contraception, abstinence, and healthier decision-making
29:46 – Relationship Smarts PLUS research: Long-term improvements in relationship health
31:06 – How youth relationship education is being implemented and funded across the country
35:41 – Using TANF funding to support youth relationship education in Utah
37:55 – The role of Cooperative Extension and universities in relationship education
39:06 – Utah's success sequence initiative: Education, employment, and family formation
42:11 – Why investing in prevention and teaching relationship skills early makes sense
44:20 – Real-life examples of how relationship education changes young people's decisions
45:34 – Resources, program previews, and funding opportunities
46:20 – Q&A: Why more organizations are adopting youth relationship education
50:13 – Q&A: Expanding youth relationship education through TANF and state funding
54:16 – Closing remarks and webinar survey
About Aaron Larson:
Aaron Larson is a family life educator, social entrepreneur, and Director of Programs at The Dibble Institute, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to equipping young people with the skills needed to develop healthy relationships and make informed decisions about their futures.
Aaron earned his bachelor's degree in Family Science from Brigham Young University and completed graduate studies in Child and Family Studies, with an emphasis in Family Life Education, at the University of Tennessee.
Throughout his career, Aaron has developed and published educational resources that have reached millions of people worldwide. He also served in Washington, D.C., as part of President George W. Bush's Healthy Marriage Initiative, where he helped develop strategic plans and federal grant opportunities supporting marriage and relationship education across the United States.
Aaron has been involved in relationship education for decades, including approximately 15 years working with the Smart Marriages Conference. For more than a decade, he has focused extensively on youth relationship education through The Dibble Institute, supporting evidence-based programs such as Love Notes and Relationship Smarts PLUS.
His work emphasizes the importance of teaching relationship skills early to help young people build healthier relationships, prevent unintended pregnancies, recognize unhealthy relationship patterns, and develop communication and conflict management skills that benefit them throughout their lives.
In this webinar, Aaron explores the research, economic benefits, and practical applications of youth relationship education, demonstrating why investing in healthy relationships during adolescence can produce lasting benefits for individuals, families, and communities.
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