Relationships exist on a spectrum, from healthy to unhealthy to abusive — and everywhere in between. It’s hard to know where your relationship falls, especially if you haven’t dated a lot. The questions below will help you determine if you’re in a healthy or unhealthy relationship.
Is My Relationship Healthy?
In a healthy relationship:
- Your partner respects you and your individuality
- You are both open and honest
- A good partner is not excessively jealous and does not make you feel guilty when you spend time with family and friends.
- Your partner supports you and your choices even when they disagree with you
- Both of you have equal say and respected boundaries
- Your partner understands that you need to study or hang out with friends or family
- You can communicate your feelings without being afraid of negative consequences
- A good partner also compliments you, encourages you to achieve your goals and does not resent your accomplishments.
My partner doesn’t physically hurt me…does that mean I’m in a healthy relationship?
- Is inconsiderate, disrespectful or distrustful
- Tries to control what you do, who you spend your time with, and what you wear
- Humiliates you on Facebook or in front of your friends
- Forces you sexually
Facts and statistics on Teen Dating Violence and Sexual Assault
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Physical Dating Violence Among High School Students – United States).
- One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner, a figure that far exceeds rates of other types of youth violence.
- One in 10 high school students has been purposefully hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend.
- One quarter of high school girls have been victims of physical or sexual abuse.
- Approximately 70% of college students say they have been sexually coerced.
There are serious long-lasting effects of dating violence.
- Teens who have experienced dating violence are at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence.
- Being physically or sexually abused makes teen girls six times more likely to become pregnant and twice as likely to get a STI.
- 50% of youth who have been victims of both dating violence and rape attempt suicide, compared to 12.5% of non-abused girls and 5.4% of non-abused boys.
For more information about teens and dating violence, healthy and unhealthy relationships, go to loveisrespect.org.