Overview

The purpose of this review is to examine the status and nature of human relations education in primary and secondary schools throughout Australia. The paper examines some of the major issues surrounding the definition, theory, content and implementation of human relations education in school settings. The relevance of educational responses to the changing nature of marriage and family life is explored and comments made on the role of schools in preparing young people for their futures as partners in marriage and family life. Report sections are: the school in society; what is human relations education; divided opinion on human relations education (includes community controversy, student views, parent and community participation); teaching human relations in schools; status of human relations programs; school case studies; survey questionnaire.

Policy background paper (Australian Institute of Family Studies) no. 6