Healthy Relationships 101
A relationship between family members, or people who consider themselves like family.
What is a 'familial' relationship?
Alex notices their friend Sam has been quieter than usual. Instead of asking what’s wrong, Alex assumes Sam is mad at them and starts avoiding them. Sam feels hurt and confused by the distance.
What went wrong?
Alex made an assumption instead of communicating. Avoiding Sam without asking what was wrong created unnecessary distance and confusion.
(T/F) 1/3 high school students report experiencing dating abuse.
T
What word means being able to bounce back from challenges and tough situations in a healthy way
Resilience
This is the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings.
Empathy
A relationship between two friends.
What is a 'friendship'/'platonic' relationship?
Riley shares something personal with Jamie, trusting them to keep it private. Later, Riley finds out Jamie told others “just as a joke.”
What went wrong?
Jamie broke Riley’s trust by sharing something private. Even if it was meant as a joke, it crossed a boundary.
(T/F) Consent cannot be given if the person is intoxicated.
T
If you’re struggling with a relationship problem, this type of trusted person (like a teacher, counselor, or parent) is a good first resource to talk to.
A Trusted Adult
This communication skill involves fully focusing, understanding, and responding thoughtfully to what someone is saying.
Active Listening
A relationship between lovers.
What is a 'romantic' relationship?
Casey constantly checks their partner’s phone and social media, worried they might be cheating. Their partner feels controlled and mistrusted.
What went wrong?
Casey showed a lack of trust and respect for boundaries. Constant checking is controlling and can damage a relationship.
List three types of abuse.
Answers vary. Could include verbal abuse, physical abuse, mental/emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, or digital/stalking abuse.
This school-based resource is specifically trained to help students with emotional, social, and relationship issues.
A school counselor
This term describes clearly expressing your thoughts and feelings while still respecting others.
Assertive communication
A dysfunctional relationship in which one person is harmed physically and/or mentally by another person.
What is an 'abusive' relationship?
Skyler feels uncomfortable with a joke their friend makes but laughs along to avoid awkwardness. The jokes keep happening.
What went wrong?
Skyler didn’t communicate their discomfort, allowing the behavior to continue. Avoiding honesty prevented a healthy boundary from being set.
Answers vary. Could include jealousy, sharing location, a history of violence, isolation tactics, lovebombing...
Calling a hotline, joining a support group, or talking to a therapist are all examples of this important skill in healthy relationships.
Seeking help / using support systems
This is when someone tries to make you doubt your own thoughts, feelings, or reality to gain control.
Gaslighting
A dysfunctional relationship where one person is heavily reliant on their partner, such that their partner sacrifices their own needs/wants to maintain the relationship.
What is a 'codependent' relationship?
Quinn gives advice to their friend Avery, but Avery ignores it and keeps venting about the same problem. Quinn starts to feel drained and frustrated.
What went wrong?
Quinn kept giving advice instead of setting a boundary, and Avery relied on venting without taking action, creating an unbalanced and draining dynamic.
List and describe the four stages of the cycle of abuse.
1. Tension - stress begins to build, the abuser creates tension
2. Incident - the argument, could involve physical, verbal, or sexual abuse
3. Reconciliation - apologizing, giving gifts, "I will never do it again"
4. Honeymoon - period of calm, all is well
What is a resource in Manatee or Sarasota county you could contact for support?
HOPE Family Services
SPARCC
Women's Resource Center
This type of boundary involves protecting your personal space, comfort with touch, and control over your own body in a relationship.
Physical Boundary