Healthy Relationships

Unfortunately, there will be times when we observe relationships that are not based on mutual respect, trust, and honesty. Relationships that have characteristics such as disrespect and control are called unhealthy relationships.

It is common to see characteristics such as hostility, dishonesty, disrespect, intimidation, and physical or sexual violence in unhealthy relationships. In these relationships, one person tries to control the other person. Unhealthy relationships can make someone feel trapped, scared, and insecure. As an unhealthy relationship progresses, it can cause some of your other healthy relationships to become unhealthy. Read the scenario below to see how one unhealthy relationship can affect other healthy relationships.

Shanna and Mark began dating at the end of the summer. They both had a close group of friends that they hung out with before they started dating. As the school year progressed, Shanna began making Mark feel bad about spending time with his friends instead of her. When he suggested that they all spend time together, she would be miserable. When Shanna and Mark would spend time alone, she would make him feel bad about himself. Over time, Mark stopped hanging out with his friends, lying to them about why he couldn’t meet up to go to a movie or a basketball game. His friends got mad, and told him that they didn’t like how he had changed since he started dating Shanna. Instead of talking to them about his relationship with Shanna, he insulted them and told them that they were done being friends.

You can see from this scenario that one unhealthy relationship can affect the other relationships in our lives. As you continue to think about the relationships in your life, you should also think about the impact that each relationship has on the other relationships in your life.

If you or anyone you know has experience with these or other difficult situations, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Talking to a parent, teacher, counselor, family member, or other trusted adult can help you to resolve the situation before things become too difficult to control.