Wants vs Needs
What’s the difference between a want and a need?
A need is something you must have to live and be healthy, like food, a place to live, or safety. A want is something you’d like to have, but you don’t need it to survive.
Name two types of changes teens go through during adolescence.
Any two: physical (like growth or puberty), social (changing friendships), emotional (stronger feelings), or thinking changes (more complex thoughts).
What’s one sign of a healthy relationship?
Any one of these: trust, respect, honesty, support, good communication, clear boundaries, or friendly humour.
What does it mean to be an active listener?
You give your full attention, make eye contact, don’t interrupt, and sometimes repeat back what was said to show you understand.
Name two resources families use to meet their needs.
Any two: time, money, skills, knowledge, talents, support from others, or services in the community.
Is this a want or a need? “Having enough food every day.”
Need: you can’t stay healthy or live without it.
What kind of development is this: “Thinking more about your future and the results of your choices”?
Cognitive development.
What’s one red flag of an unhealthy relationship?
Any of these: jealousy, controlling behaviour, constant put-downs, threats, isolation from others, or fear.
Give an example of an “I” statement instead of blaming.
“I feel stressed when I’m left to do all the chores. I need us to share them more fairly.”
What’s a budget, and why is it helpful for families?
A budget is a money plan. It helps families cover their needs and avoid spending too much.
A student says, “I need the newest phone or I’ll feel left out.” Want or need? Briefly explain.
It’s a want. The latest phone isn’t necessary; wanting to fit in is real, but you don’t need a specific phone to belong.
How can going through big physical changes affect how teens act at home?
They might be more tired, hungry, moody, or self-conscious, which can lead to arguments or emotional outbursts.
A friend keeps checking your phone without permission and gets mad if you don’t respond fast. Healthy or unhealthy? Why?
Unhealthy: that shows control and a lack of respect for your privacy.
Two siblings are fighting over chores. What’s one step they can use to solve the problem?
They can figure out the problem together, list ideas, pick a fair plan, divide the work, and check how it’s going later.
How can a teen use time-management to balance school, family, and friends?
Use a planner, set priorities, do homework before screen time, or schedule time for chores and fun.
Can you give an example of something that might be a need for one person but a want for another?
A car. If someone lives far from school or work with no bus or train nearby, it’s a need. But if they have easy access to public transit, it’s a want.
A teen wants more freedom to pick their clothes and make their own schedule. What kind of need is this, and how might it show?
It’s about identity and independence. You might see it in pushing back on rules or negotiating more say in decisions.
A friend or partner says sorry for yelling and wants to improve. What’s one healthy suggestion you could give?
Try setting boundaries, using “I” statements, taking breaks when upset, talking calmly, or seeing a counsellor.
A teen slams the door and yells when angry at a parent. Suggest a better way to communicate.
Take a break to calm down, then use “I” statements or ask for a better time to talk.
A student wants designer shoes but also needs to save for a school trip. What’s a smart decision-making strategy they could try?
They could compare prices, think about what matters more, wait to buy the shoes, save up, or pick a cheaper option. Think about long-term benefits.
How do a family’s values or goals affect how they view wants vs. needs?
Families that care about things like education, health, or saving money might treat books, sports, or healthy food as needs, and cut back on other stuff to meet long-term goals.
How can the need to belong lead to both good and bad behaviour for teens?
It can lead to positive things like joining a team or finding good friends, but also negative things like peer pressure or pretending to be someone else to fit in.
How might power and control show up in an unhealthy teen relationship? Give one example.
One person might make all the decisions, use guilt or fear to stay in charge, for example, telling the other what to wear or who to see, or threatening to break up if they don’t listen.
How can body language or tone affect a conversation even if the words sound polite?
If someone uses sarcasm, crosses their arms, or rolls their eyes, it can feel rude or aggressive, even if their words seem nice.
What’s one way a family can support health and well-being without spending much?
Cook simple meals at home, go for walks, use free parks or community centres, have screen-free time together, or split chores to lower stress.