Importance of Teen Relationships

During your adolescents, you begin to learn how to form safe and healthy relationships. You are also trying to figure out who you are as a person and your relationships that you have in your life play in big role in figuring this out.  The types of relationships you have in your life can have either a positive or negative impact on your well-being.

Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

Minimization, denial, blame: not accepting responsibility for your actions, making a joke when you hurt your partner, telling your partner everything is his or her fault, making light of abuse

Anger/Emotional abuse:  putting the other down, making them feel bad about themselves.  Name calling, playing mind games, humiliation, imposing guilt

Using social status: treating the other like a servant, making all the decisions, defining gender roles

Isolation and exclusion: controlling what the other does, who they talk to, what they read, where they go, limiting outside involvement, using jealousy to justify actions

Sexual Coercion: manipulating or making threats to get sex, tampering with birth control, reproductive coercion, getting someone drunk or drugged to get sex

Threats: making or carrying out threats, threatening to leave, commit suicide, threatening to report them to the police, making him or her drop charges, making the other do illegal things

Intimidation: making someone afraid by using looks, actions, gestures, smashing things, destroying property, abusing pets, or displaying weapons

Signs of a Healthy Relationship

• Honestly and Accountability
• Open Communication
• Intimacy with respect to boundaries
• Positive Physical Affection (respecting each others rights)
• Trust and Support
• Respect
• Shared Responsibility
• Fairness and negotiation

Help

If you feel that you are in an unhealthy relationship, we can help!   You can contact your local Planned Parenthood, Riverview Center (sexual and domestic violence help) at 319-540-0080 or info@riverviewcenter.org.

What do I say?

“I don’t know what to do…”
“Can we talk?”
“I am struggling with…”

Speak up for yourself, find someone to talk to, know what your needs are, and know how to communicate

For more information go to www.plannedparenthood.org or call your local Planned Parenthood

Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant.  90% of Americans with a substance abuse problem started smoking, drinking, or using other drugs before the age of 18.

Marijuana

The active chemical in marijuana is THC.  THC is one of several chemicals found in the marijuana plant.  THC is not medicine and is illegal in the State of Iowa.

Anxiety

Having anxiety can be normal when dealing with stress and serves as an alert in order that we pay attention.  Anxiety Disorders are when you experience excessive anxiety or fear.  Anxiety disorders are treatable.

Depression

Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed.  If you have depression you can have physical and emotional problems that can interfere with school and other activities.

Wellness

It is important for teens to take care of themselves.  You work hard and you deserve a break.  If you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed make sure you are keeping up with sleep, nutrition, and exercise.

Suicide

Suicide is the 2^nd leading cause of death for ages 15-34.

Sexual Health & Pregnancy

Teens that are sexually healthy either practice abstinence or safer sex.  Abstinence is not engaging in any sexual activity and it the only 100% effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Relationships

During your adolescents, you begin to learn how to form safe and healthy relationships. You are also trying to figure out who you are as a person and your relationships that you have in your life play in big role in figuring this out.

Violence

Physical, emotional, verbal, cultural, and sexual are all types of violence.  Bullying and the intent to harm are violent behaviors.  Violence can come from anyone whether they are an adult or teen as well as familiar and unfamiliar people.

LGBTQIA+

Do you identify or are you questioning your gender identity and gender expression?  Are you thinking about coming out to your friends and family? This is a very personal process and it is a very intimate and vulnerable time when sharing with others.

Support

Other people you can seek help from would be a school nurse, teacher, counselor, trusted adult, parents.