Healthy Relationships: Part 1

Everyone deserves to be part of healthy relationships. However, those relationships might look slightly different for each individual. The relationships we create in our own lives are often influenced, or even modeled off of, the relationships we see around us. Our immediate and extended family members help to influence the way we see “normal” interactions and relationships.

Additionally, we’re often influenced by what our peers think and how the media portrays relationships. For example, the consequences of casual sex, underage drinking, or drug use may be minimized in movies and on television. For many people, this can influence our thoughts regarding casual sex, drinking, and drug use. Even though we may feel that each of these activities crosses our personal boundaries, we may become more accepting of others who engage in these activities because the media makes the activities appear to be “normal.” Even more so, our views of these activities may shift, and we may become more inclined to participate in them, especially if we think everyone else is doing them. However, the media’s portrayal of these activities is often inaccurate and dangerous. Casual sex, drinking, and drug use are NOT normal behaviors, and you do not have to participate in them to be a normal, happy adolescent. In fact, participating in these behaviors can lead to depression, low self-esteem, cognitive issues, and emotional distress, among other consequences.

Although some of these influences might work to normalize unhealthy relationships, we must remember the core components of any healthy relationship. Additionally, we must work to create these healthy relationships. However, as we discussed earlier, a healthy relationship is not one-sided. Instead, a healthy relationship requires both parties to be committed to creating a respectful, trusting relationship where everyone feels valued, confident, and safe.