Healthy relationships are enjoyable and respectful and provide opportunities for many positive experiences that affect self-esteem. We can develop healthy relationships with anyone, including family, friends, and dating partners. It takes time, energy, and care to develop positive, healthy relationships. Relationships made during the teenage years can become very special and may form an important part of life. There are also many lessons to be learned from the relationships we have.
Healthy dating relationships should start with the same ingredients that healthy friendships have, such as effective communication, honesty, and respect. Dating relationships are a little different than other relationships, however, because they may include expressions of physical affection that may range from hugging, kissing, or holding hands to sexual intercourse.
All healthy relationships between two partners are characterized by communication, respect, sharing, and trust. They are based on the belief that both partners are equal and that decision making in the relationship is shared equally. In healthy relationships, we must maintain the freedom to be ourselves. It is important to maintain an individual identity, regardless of the type of relationship being pursued.
Maintaining our identity in a romantic relationship also means nurturing the other relationships we already have with family and friends. At first, dating couples may want to spend all their time with each other, but it is equally important for couples to spend time apart so that they can maintain healthy relationships with other people. These relationships provide perspective, and can be a valuable source of support when a couple experiences difficult or stressful times in a romantic relationship or when the relationship ends.
A healthy relationship should be satisfying and promote individual growth. Establishing mutually acceptable boundaries based on personal values is important in any relationship. Romantic partners should never pressure each other to do things they have agreed not to do. Mutual respect means not only giving respect to a partner, but also
showing respect for oneself.
