Ask any child their favourite film, and there is quite a high chance they will name a Disney movie, like 'Beauty and the Beast' or 'Aladdin'.
However, experts believe that these films are giving them the wrong idea about what a healthy relationship looks like.
You mean, it's not a good idea to fall in love with a thief? Or take up bestiality?
Researchers at the University of Exeter surveyed young people and found they had the desire to learn skills to help them develop relationships at school.
What..? Really?
Study author Simon Benham-Clarke said: 'Those we surveyed highlighted the importance of teaching skills such as relating, communication, empathy, respect, conflict resolution and repair and ending relationships kindly and safely.
'Our research shows schools need improved support to run relationships education, including specialist expertise and resources, and guidance on signposting pupils to external sources of help.
'Positive relationship behaviours should be modelled, integrated and built on throughout curriculums nationally and reflected in a school's ethos.'
Where on earth are schools to find the time for all this? What's this nonsence based on?
...the researchers conducted focus groups with 24 young people aged between 14 and 18.
*sighs*
One female participant said: 'I think it actually does create this toxic image to some degree… it's very much the female is feeble, and she must be saved by the male, and it kind of creates a toxic masculinity.'
Another added: 'It's embedded into our heads that it's always Prince Charming and it's always the prince and the princess … you don't understand it until you actually get to it, and that's when you realise that it's not like Disney movies or anything.'
Well, love, that's life for you. Frankly, I understood that well before the age of 14...
