|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are
solely
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
 |
Prevention Action Alliance
Know! Love Is Respect
Dating relationships can be tricky at any age, but especially for young
people navigating uncharted waters. Have you talked to your students
about what positive, healthy dating relationships look like? There’s no
time like the present as February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness
Month.
We like to think of young love as innocent and sweet. But
unfortunately, teen dating violence is much more common than most
people realize. According to loveisrespect.org, one in three teens will
experience physical abuse, sexual abuse, or both. Therefore, it’s
critical to have ongoing conversations with students on the subject.
“Dating violence is preventable, especially if education about healthy
relationships starts early,” said William Wubbenhorst, Associate
Commissioner for the Family and Youth Services Bureau within the
Administration for Children and Families. “This month and beyond we
want educators, youth, and community leaders to join along with middle,
high school and college students, to creatively promote messages about
dating violence prevention, and raise awareness of the differences
between healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships.”
HEALTHY relationships are based on respect, communication, trust, honesty, and equality.
UNHEALTHY relationships include breaks in communication, pressure, dishonesty, struggles for control, or inconsiderate behavior.
ABUSIVE relationships involve accusations, blame shifting, isolation, pressure, or manipulation.
As you talk to students about their romantic interests, whether present or future, we want to encourage them to…
LOOK FOR SOMEONE WHO:
Treats you with respect.
Doesn’t make fun of things you like or want to do.
Never puts you down.
Doesn’t get angry if you spend time with your friends or family.
Listens to your ideas and can compromise with you.
Isn’t excessively negative.
Shares some of your interests and supports you in pursuing what you love.
Shares their thoughts and feelings.
Is comfortable around your friends and family.
Is proud of your accomplishments and successes.
Respects your boundaries and doesn’t abuse technology to violate your boundaries.
Doesn’t require you to “check in” or need to know where you are all the time.
Is caring and honest.
Doesn’t pressure you to do things that you don’t want to do.
Doesn’t constantly accuse you of cheating or being unfaithful.
Encourages you to do well in school.
Doesn’t threaten you or make you feel scared.
Understands the importance of healthy relationships.
When it comes to any relationship, mutual respect is key—plain and
simple—but relationships can be complex. While some things (like
physical or sexual violence) are clearly wrong and unacceptable, others
may fall into an unclear, gray area for the students in your life. You
can help your students make sense of this gray area and help them
understand the relationship spectrum from healthy to abusive.
Whether or not your students are presently in “dating” relationships,
this topic is relevant. Your decision to have ongoing conversations
with students in your classroom on the subject is monumental. Knowing
what to look for in a dating partner, as well as having high
expectations from him or her, will serve your students well in dating
relationships during their youth and into their adulthood.
In the tip to follow, the focus on Teen Dating Violence Prevention will
continue as we highlight the importance of Setting Boundaries in a
Relationship.
For more information, visit loveisrespect.org.
|
|
|
|
