Healthy Relationships
Being in a healthy relationships means…
Healthy Relationships
1. Respecting individuality, embracing differences, and allowing each person to “be themselves” 2. Discussing things, allowing for differences of opinion, and compromising equally. 3. Expressing and listening to each other’s feelings, needs, and desires. 4. Trusting and being honest with yourself and each other. 5. Resolving conflicts in a rational, peaceful, and mutually agreed upon way. Other Characteristics of a Healthy Relationship · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Each person has individual rights Open communication Trust Mutual respect for opinions Equality in decision making Shared respect for each other’s values Respect for each person’s sexual boundaries Willingness to honestly discuss problems Willingness to tell your partner what you need or want Honesty Always using a nonviolent approach to resolving conflict Understanding that conflict and anger are okay Taking responsibility for yourself Accepting the fact that everyone makes mistakes Owning your own mistakes Commitment Joy and playfulness
Direct, kind, and clear communication is the most effective way to communicate with your partner. We can minimize conflict by learning to express our needs, wants, hopes, and desires clearly and caringly. We can also listen to other people and hear what they have to say. Respecting them as well as ourselves is part of this process.
Examples:
“I want this, but what do you want?” “How can we work this out?” “I care about what you need. I want to solve this.”
Results:
You often get your needs met. You build and maintain the relationship. Your partner respects you. You work towards peace in the relationship.
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Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship A climate of negativity within the relationship; a disproportionate number of negative comments about each other vs. positive comments about the relationship. E.g. “we never have any fun,” vs. “we laugh a lot.” Constant negativity can be
Healthy Relationships
1. Respecting individuality, embracing differences, and allowing each person to “be themselves” 2. Discussing things, allowing for differences of opinion, and compromising equally. 3. Expressing and listening to each other’s feelings, needs, and desires. 4. Trusting and being honest with yourself and each other. 5. Resolving conflicts in a rational, peaceful, and mutually agreed upon way. Other Characteristics of a Healthy Relationship · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · Each person has individual rights Open communication Trust Mutual respect for opinions Equality in decision making Shared respect for each other’s values Respect for each person’s sexual boundaries Willingness to honestly discuss problems Willingness to tell your partner what you need or want Honesty Always using a nonviolent approach to resolving conflict Understanding that conflict and anger are okay Taking responsibility for yourself Accepting the fact that everyone makes mistakes Owning your own mistakes Commitment Joy and playfulness
Direct, kind, and clear communication is the most effective way to communicate with your partner. We can minimize conflict by learning to express our needs, wants, hopes, and desires clearly and caringly. We can also listen to other people and hear what they have to say. Respecting them as well as ourselves is part of this process.
Examples:
“I want this, but what do you want?” “How can we work this out?” “I care about what you need. I want to solve this.”
Results:
You often get your needs met. You build and maintain the relationship. Your partner respects you. You work towards peace in the relationship.
1|Page
Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship A climate of negativity within the relationship; a disproportionate number of negative comments about each other vs. positive comments about the relationship. E.g. “we never have any fun,” vs. “we laugh a lot.” Constant negativity can be