Staying Safe

What should I do to avoid abusive relationships?

- 16, Tennessee

One of the best things that anyone can do to avoid abusive relationships is to understand what an abusive relationship looks like in order to learn to identify the warning signs. Abusive relationships can look many different ways because there are different types of abuse. It can be physical, sexual or verbal/emotional. Without this understanding, it can be hard to see what may potentially be abuse in a relationship.

Another important thing is to ask yourself if, in general, you are happy in your relationship. Relationships are not perfect and you will not always feel happy--this can be okay. But if you find yourself feeling unhappy most of the time and happy only some of the time, then that may be a hint that something is not right. It may not necessarily mean that you are in an abusive relationship, but it's still something that you shouldn't ignore. It's best to try to catch any problems early before they get worse. Remember, it's not just about avoiding abusive relationships; making sure you're happy in your relationship is just as important.

Relationships can mean different things to different people. It's a good idea to ask yourself what a relationship means to you and then ask yourself if the person you are with is fulfilling that. Evaluate your relationship every once in a while to make sure you're getting out of it what you want. And regardless of what you think a relationship should be, it's important to keep in mind that a relationship should always be healthy and respectful. If you want to find out if your relationship is as healthy as you deserve, take this quiz to find out.

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