Relationships can be Healthy or Abusive

What is a healthy relationship?

In a healthy relationship your partner is not excessively jealous and does not make you feel guilty when you spend time with family and friends. A good partner compliments you, encourages you to achieve your goals and does not resent your accomplishments.

What is an unhealthy relationship?

In an unhealthy relationship, your partner may be inconsiderate, disrespectful, or distrustful. Your partner may try to control some part of your life or humiliate you on Facebook or in front of your friends.

What is an abusive relationship?

In an abusive relationship, one partner exerts power and control over the other. Abuse can be physical, sexual, or emotional.

For Parents

1 in 3 teens report being in an abusive relationship. Everyone deserves a healthy relationship safe from violence and fear. Help your child by learning the warning signs.

Not sure if your teen is in an abusive relationship? Review this list of warning signs from Love is Not Abuse:

Your Teen:

Apologizes and/or makes excuses for his/her partner’s behavior.
Loses interest in activities that he/she used to enjoy.
Stops seeing friends and family members and becomes more and more isolated.
Casually mentions the partner’s violent behavior, but laughs it off as a joke.
Often has unexplained injuries or the explanations often don’t make sense.

The Partner:

Calls your teen names and puts him/her down in front of others.
Acts extremely jealous of others who pay attention to your teen.
Thinks or tells your teen that you, the parent(s), don’t like them.
Controls your teen’s behavior, checking up constantly, calling or texting,
and demanding to know who he/she has been with.

You:

See the partner violently lose their temper, striking or breaking objects.