Written By: Briana Rodriguez, MFT Trainee at ACS, On-Campus Counseling Program
Relationships
are an important factor in development throughout the lifespan (Adams & Williams, 2011). However, relationship formation is particularly vital for adolescents’ development as they learn to navigate friendships and romantic relationships, as well as understand how those two things interact (Adams & Williams, 2011). Because adolescents are in the process of learning, they typically have not developed the necessary skills to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships like most adults have (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005). Due to their developmental status, assessing relationships as healthy or unhealthy can be a difficult task. Below I will address what some research has identified as aspects of healthy relationships for teens.
What does a healthy relationship include?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005) healthy relationships include equality of both partners, honesty, physical safety, respect, comfort, and independence. Healthy relationships begin with respect in which both partners treat each other equally and feel comfortable, or safe, in each other’s presence physically, mentally and emotionally. The feelings of equality and comfort are further strengthened through the partners’ acceptance of one another’s feelings, opinions, interests, identities, and social groups because it assists the adolescent in feeling seen and heard. Additionally, partners in the relationship should feel free to communicate openly and honestly with one another, especially when it concerns their wants and needs. When these things occur, adolescents are able to function normally with and without their partner.
If you notice something may be off with your teen and their dating relationship, follow this link for a list of national resources on teen dating violence https://thatsnotcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Teen-Dating-Abuse-Resource-List.pdf
References:
- Adams, H.L., & Williams, L.R. (2011). Advice from teens to teens about dating: Implications for healthy relationships. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 254-264.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (2005). Choose respect community action kit: Helping preteens and teens build healthy relationships. Retrieved from http://www.aldine.k12.tx.us/cms/file_process/download.cfm?docID=BED9BF514B2EAD07(link is external)