What is the Parents´and Adults´Role in Supporting the Young in their Intimate Relationships?

Love and falling in love is unforgettable for most of the young people. As a magnificent and extremely powerful emotional experience it fascinates, confuses, and hurts; yet, the young dream of it. The theoretical framework shows that falling in love as a fascinating temporary metamorphosis can respond to dreams but provide painful disappointments as well. Creating and upholding human relationships is not easy and social skills develop along with life experiences. Falling in love touches the youngster´s life strongly, but it is also a learning experience that moulds the young people´s identity and self-appreciation. But how could the ability to fall in love be taught? This article discusses what the parents’ and adults’ role is in supporting the young in their intimate relationships. The main findings show how parents should let the young be happy with what life and love can offer and also help the young to foresee crises. Adults should ensure that problems and conflicts belong to emotional human relationships. It is important to encourage youngsters to learn self-appreciation.