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What Does a Healthy Relationship Look Like?
Isn’t it funny how easy it seems to spot something going wrong in
someone else’s relationship? So, what does a healthy relationship
look like, anyway? Here are some good ways to tell…
- Mutual Respect - When two people are in a relationship,
there is mutual respect for each person as an individual.
- Trust & Honesty - Do we know the other person, and who they
are? Can we count on their promises?
- Support – A supportive partner is there to provide support
when bad things happen and to celebrate with you when things are
going right.
- Fairness/equality –There should be a balance of give and
take. Healthy relationships shouldn’t be a power struggle.
- Separate identities –Both people should feel equally
empowered to pursue their own interests, friends, and dreams.
- Good communication - Communication is critical to the other
ingredients mentioned above. It is how we show our honesty, our
respect, our trust.
Unhealthy Relationships
A relationship is unhealthy when it involves disrespectful,
controlling, or abusive behavior. Someone who exhibits those
qualities may need professional help before he/she is ready for a
relationship.
Warning Signs
Ask yourself, does my partner:
- get angry when I don't drop everything for him or her?
- criticize the way I look or dress?
- keep me from seeing friends or from talking to others?
- want me to quit an activity, even though I love it?
- ever raise a hand when angry?
- try to force me to go further sexually than I want to?
If your partner is using these or other tactics to control you,
make you feel bad about yourself, isolate you, or harm you
physically or sexually, then it may be time to end the relationship.
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) offers help -
free and confidential counseling for
students, faculty, and staff who feel they may be in
an abusive or unhealthy
relationship. If you think you may be in an abusive
relationship, contact us at (205) 348-5040. Please
note that to protect your confidentiality, we recommend
calling or coming by in person rather than using email or web
communication.
For more information, visit our
links page.
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