Will You Marry Me? wellbeing lesson plan
Will You Marry Me? is a ready-to-teach senior secondary lesson for Years 10 to 13 that helps Australian teachers introduce the legal aspects of marriage alongside different cultural and personal perspectives. The lesson gives teachers a structured way to guide discussion on a topic that touches law, relationships and identity. Students learn how marriage is recognised legally, consider how views on marriage differ across culture and community, and practise discussing these perspectives respectfully.
Diversity, Equality & Society
Snapshot
Will You Marry Me?
This lesson gives teachers a structured way to introduce marriage as a legal, social and cultural topic. Feedback: 4.1/5 average rating from 303 teacher and student responses
Prep time:
5 to 10 minutes
Lesson length:
45 to 50 minutes
Key Focus
Understanding the legal aspects of marriage and exploring diverse perspectives
Lesson Format
Teacher-led discussion and structured activities
What students will learn
By the end of the lesson, students will be supported to:
Recognise
recognise that marriage involves legal rights and responsibilities
recognise that people understand and experience marriage differently depending on culture, background or personal values
recognise marriage as both a legal arrangement and a personal relationship choice
Understand
understand how law and society shape who can marry and how marriage is recognised
understand why respecting different perspectives on marriage matters in a diverse community
Practise
practise discussing marriage and relationships respectfully without judging others' choices or backgrounds
practise using respectful language when exploring differing views on marriage
practise considering more than one perspective on a legal and social topic
Who this lesson is for?
This lesson is designed for senior secondary students in Years 10 to 13 who have some existing understanding of relationships, law or social issues and are ready to explore marriage from both a legal and social perspective.
It is suitable for:
senior secondary wellbeing or PDHPE lessons
legal studies, civics and citizenship classes
pastoral care or advisory discussions on relationships and society
respectful relationships units
classes exploring diversity, culture and identity
Suitability should be based on more than age alone. Teachers should consider the lesson focus, student maturity, cohort needs, classroom culture, existing discussion norms and available support pathways.
Best used when
Use this lesson when students need clear, practical language for recognising unkind behaviour and knowing what to do next.
Introducing legal and social perspectives on marriage Use when students are beginning to learn how marriage is defined and recognised in law.
Supporting respectful relationships units Use when reinforcing consent, choice and respect alongside legal understanding.
Building civics and citizenship understanding Use when connecting marriage law to broader ideas about rights and society.
Supporting diversity and inclusion learning Use when exploring how culture and identity shape views on relationships and marriage.
Reinforcing respectful discussion skills Use when students need practice discussing differing views without judgement.
Preparing for senior pastoral or life skills programs Use when marriage, relationships or legal rights are part of a broader senior wellbeing sequence.
The lesson can be used proactively with the whole class. It does not need to follow a specific incident.
Why this lesson matters
Marriage touches law, culture and personal relationships, which makes it a useful topic for helping senior students think critically about rights, choice and respect. Many students will encounter questions about marriage in their own lives, families or communities, so having language to discuss it thoughtfully is a practical skill. Looking at marriage through both a legal and a cultural lens helps students see that there can be more than one valid perspective on a shared topic. This supports respectful discussion in a classroom where students may come from different backgrounds and hold different personal views. The lesson supports a classroom culture where students can explore differing perspectives on relationships and law without being asked to represent a group they belong to, and without assuming one view is correct for everyone.
How this lesson supports wellbeing
This lesson supports student wellbeing by building practical social and emotional skills students can use in everyday school life. It helps students develop:
Capability How the lesson supports it
Perspective taking Students consider how views on marriage differ across culture and personal experience.
Respectful communication Students practise discussing differing views on marriage without judgement.
Civic understanding Students explore how law intersects with relationships and personal rights.
Cultural awareness Students recognise that marriage is understood differently across communities.
Critical thinking Students weigh legal and social perspectives on a shared topic.
Belonging Students reinforce that differing views on relationships can be respected in a shared classroom.
For teachers and school leaders, the lesson contributes to broader wellbeing, respectful relationships, child safety and pastoral care goals in Australian primary schools.
Teaching notes & Delivery Considerations
This lesson includes content about unkind behaviour, exclusion and asking adults for help. It should be taught with calm, clear discussion norms.
Before teaching
Remind students not to name classmates or share other people's personal or family circumstances
Frame discussion around general examples and legal concepts rather than individual students' backgrounds
Make clear that no student should be asked to speak on behalf of their own culture, religion or background
Be prepared to follow your school's child safety, wellbeing or child protection procedures if a student discloses harm or says they feel unsafe
During delivery
Use general scenarios rather than specific family or relationship situations
Keep discussion focused on legal and social perspectives rather than personal relationship status
Allow students to pass on questions they are not comfortable answering
Reinforce that differing views on marriage can be respected without needing a single correct answer
Supporting safe discussion
Encourage respectful disagreement without judgement of others' views
Discourage naming classmates, families or specific communities in examples
Redirect broad generalisations about any group back to the lesson's focus on law and perspective
Adaptation options
Extend with legal studies or civics content for classes with existing background knowledge
Use smaller group discussion for cohorts less comfortable sharing in front of the whole class
Adjust the depth of legal detail depending on students' prior learning
