Relate 2 You

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Read more facts about teen relationships

Did You Know?

Even though our relationships with our parents, our best friend, and our date are different, there is a similarity in that caring people treat us in ways that help us feel good about ourselves.

No relationship is perfect. It's important to think about what's most important to you, however, because you do have some power and control over how you're treated.

Everyone needs to know how to deal with dating abuse for two primary reasons: (1) in case they end up in an abusive relationship; and (2) in case a friend is in an abusive relationship and turns to them for help.

People abuse for the following reasons: (1) they believe it's the "normal" way to act, (2) they are insecure and need power over others, (3) they've learned that they can get what they want, (4) They don't know other ways of responding to anger, (5) they don't know how to communicate, or (6) they're using drugs, alcohol or other illicit drugs.

People can choose to act in cooperative, non-abusive ways. For this reason, it's never the victim's fault. No one deserves to be abused.

Adolescents don't typically tell anyone about abuse in their relationships. When they do confide in someone, it's usually a friend. How friends respond to stories about abuse has a strong influence on how the abused person will feel about the abuse and whether or not she or he will seek help.

If we want to stop the abuse in our lives, school, and community, we have to take a stand against it. It's important to tell people who are abusive that their behavior is not okay, and it's important to support people who are being abused.

We all see abuse too often — at home, between friends, on television, and so on – and we may begin to see it as "normal".

We all deserve happy, healthy, and fun relationships.

Stereotypes may support abusive behavior. Stereotypes people hold of their own gender may encourage them to use abuse. (such as "men have to act tough" or "women should be submissive")

Gender stereotypes affect the way we think about interactions between men and women and create expectations about the way boyfriends and girlfriends should act.

In dating relationships, open and honest communication is essential.

Positive communication skills can help you work through situations without being hurtful or abusive.

No one is a born communicator, but everyone can learn to assert himself or herself while respecting the feelings and beliefs of others.