A group discussion of the movie, "Mad Love," aimed to help teens deal with the pressures they feel from parents and others

A group discussion of the movie, "Mad Love," aimed to help teens deal with the pressures they feel from parents and others.

OVERVIEW

LEADER PREPARATION

Either be sure that all students have seen the movie, "Mad Love", or have a videotape of the movie prepared to show scenes of the film.

GROUP BUILDING

Send one volunteer out of the room. Blindfold the volunteer. Hide an object somewhere in the room and then instruct the person to find the object, using directions given by the group. Do not tell the blindfolded volunteer that the group has been divided into two teams. One team may shout instructions to guide the person to the object; the other team attempts to prevent him or her from finding it. Only the leader may touch the person looking for the object. After the person finds the object—or an appropriate amount of time has passed—a short discussion follows:

• To the person in the blindfold: how did you feel trying to find the hidden object?
• To the group: How did he or she appear while looking for the hidden object? What was he or she doing? Why was he or she behaving that way?
• To the entire group: When do you feel the same as our volunteer felt?

GROUP PRESENTATION

Show video clips of Casey and Matt reacting to or commenting on pressure they were feeling.

GROUP DISCUSSION

Ask any of the following questions. Modify as appropriate:

• What pressures did Casey and Matt experience? How did they deal with these pressures?
• How do you think they felt?
• Can you relate to their pressures?
• What overwhelming pressures do your friends currently have?
• How do you or your friends handle pressure?
• How appropriately did Casey and Matt address their problems?

WRAP-UP

Offer examples of people in history who felt abandoned or lonely. Discuss their responses to those feelings. Discuss results of their situations.

EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP

• Ask teens to react to the statement, "In the past, I felt lonely..."
• Allow teens to suggest other ways to discuss loneliness within the group. "If you were leading a discussion with your friends about loneliness, how would you do it? What would you do?"

IMPLICATION

Teens often feel isolated and alone. They do not understand how to relate to each other and the circumstances they are in. "Mad Love" illustrates some of these feelings. Do not expect one session to solve a teenager’s loneliness. This discussion allows young people to talk and listen to each other. When working with kids who are under great pressure, youth workers should allow teens to be who they are and respond as they feel comfortable. Validating a young person’s feelings assists them as they face their confusing world and feelings.

Dale Tadlock cCYS