Signs of healthy relationships
Family members, friends and others are in unhealthy relationships more often than we realize.
People in healthy relationships are treated equally to one another. However, this does not always turn out to be the case.
One of the main reasons is due to a lack of healthy relationships to model after these days.
To pave the way for a better future within your relationship, it is best to practice creating forms of equality at the beginning of the relationship and to establish these methods from there on.
If you set the same rules and standards for both people in the relationship, you are taking the right steps toward equality. Ultimately, when both people in the relationship have a say and feel as though their thoughts and opinions are valued, neither person will feel superior to the another. Developing a sense of identity is significant to starting and maintaining a healthy relationship.
In a healthy relationship, you have the right to your own opinion, to talk to others about how you feel, to choose your own friends, to feel safe and to be treated with respect.
However, with your rights comes responsibilities. Being honest about your thoughts, listening and agreeing to disagree will aid in making your relationship healthier.
People in relationships have the authority to make choices on how they will behave. At times, there will be cases of anger and arguments — these feelings are normal. How we act on these feelings will determine whether the relationship is considered healthy or unhealthy.
Working to achieve a healthy relationship requires time and patience. Proving that you have admiration and concern for the other person in the relationship takes practice and will involve getting feedback from your partner.
If you or a friend is involved an unhealthy relationship, there are many options for help. Resources available locally consist of our on-campus student organization SAPA (Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates) and Women’s Aid Service of Isabella County.
For more information on concerns regarding healthy relationships, visit womens-aid.org.
COM 353: Small Group Communication
