A Family Life Education session was conducted on 4th February 2025 at the School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, for 64 final-year BA and BSW students. The session was facilitated by Ms. Jestalaxmi B., a distinguished counselling psychologist and life skills trainer from Alva’s Ayur Care. The objective of the session was to provide students with a deeper understanding of family structures, relationships, and essential life skills necessary for personal and professional growth.
The session commenced with an introduction to Family Life Education, wherein Ms. Jestalaxmi elaborated on its significance in strengthening relationships and promoting emotional well-being. She emphasized the importance of family as the foundational unit of society and discussed the different types of family structures, including nuclear and joint families. She highlighted how changing societal dynamics impact family relationships and the necessity of Family Life Education in adapting to these changes.
To engage the students in self-reflection, an interactive activity on family history was conducted. This exercise encouraged students to explore their backgrounds and understand the values, traditions, and cultural influences that shape their familial interactions. The discussion that followed focused on the importance of spending quality time with family members and fostering stronger emotional connections.
A key segment of the session was dedicated to career and marriage, which sparked an engaging debate among students. They explored various perspectives on marriage, analyzing the pros and cons from personal, societal, and cultural standpoints. Ms. Jestalaxmi guided the discussion by emphasizing the essential elements of a healthy relationship, such as respect, trust, loyalty, intimacy, communication, and understanding. She provided insights into how these factors contribute to long-lasting and fulfilling relationships.
To further enhance learning, students participated in an enactment activity, where they role-played different family scenarios. This experiential learning approach helped them gain practical knowledge of conflict resolution strategies and effective communication techniques. The role-plays covered common family conflicts and demonstrated ways to navigate challenges with empathy and understanding.
The session concluded with a discussion on handling family issues through open communication, active listening, and emotional intelligence. Ms. Jestalaxmi shared practical tips on fostering a supportive family environment and maintaining balance between personal and professional life.
Overall, the Family Life Education session was highly interactive and insightful. Through engaging discussions, debates, and activities, students gained a comprehensive understanding of family dynamics, relationships, and life skills. The session provided them with valuable tools to cultivate healthy relationships, enhance self-awareness, and navigate familial and social interactions effectively.