By Dena Miller — Coordinator of Events, Interns, and Volunteers at Family and Community Resources
As hard as it may be to believe, 1 in 3 US teens experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they're in a relationship with before they turn 18, and nearly half of college-aged women report experiencing abuse in their relationships. These behaviors have long-lasting consequences. Teens who experience dating violence are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, misuse substances like drugs and alcohol, and exhibit bullying behavior. Being in abusive relationships as a teen can also predispose a survivor to experience violence again as an adult.
The best way to protect the teens in your life from these long-term impacts is to talk to them about what a healthy relationship should be, but that can be challenging.
Here are 5 helpful tips for having a healthy, productive conversation:
- Choose the Right Setting: Avoid talking about relationships during busy moments. Instead, pick a time that is ideal for both of you, like when driving home or cooking dinner together.
- Normalize the Conversation: Make it clear that talking about relationships is a natural part of growing up, and that they can come to you about anything. Focus on creating a space where they feel safe to share what they may have experienced with you.
- Be Open and Non-Judgmental: Being judgmental makes teens less likely to reach out to you for help when they need you. Listen and be supportive, even when disagreeing with their decisions. If you don't understand, ask questions to understand their perspective.
- Define Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships: By explaining that healthy relationships are based on trust, respect, and communication and that unhealthy relationships are based on control, manipulation, and abuse, you give them the tools they need to identify red flags.
- Don't Give Up! Talking about relationships is hard. Although it can be frustrating, teens need to know that they can depend on you and trust you to respect their decisions. By making them feel safe with you, you can help ensure they are safe in their relationships.
Everyone deserves to feel loved and respected in their relationship, regardless of age. By helping teens learn about healthy relationships early, we can all ensure they experience a lifetime of healthy, happy relationships.
For more advice, visit love is respect, or reach out to FCR and ask about the Healthy Relationships Program.
(And have you heard of FCR's Spring Gala "Cruise" Through the Roaring 20's (2.0), taking place on May 10 from 6-10 pm? Click here or scan the QR code to find out more! It is a great way to support our efforts to end teen dating violence in our community.)
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