February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and that means it’s time to start talking about red flags in our relationships. Many young people have no idea what to watch out for. They are bombarded with mixed messages from their socials, movies and music. What is okay and what is not okay…
With Valentine’s Day and all the romantic red hearts floating around us, it is important to remember that the red flags are just as real. It is critical to pay close attention to them.
We believe that students/teens really do want to know the warning signs of an abusive relationship. It’s time to hit the brakes and consider whether our relationships are healthy or toxic. Please consider all relationships: friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, co-workers and even family.
Does he/she…
*Become jealous of your other relationships?
*Call, text or email numerous times during a day?
* Expect an immediate phone call or text back?
*Often make the decisions of where to go, what to do and when?
*Demand that you spend most of your time with them?
*Call you names or threaten you?
*Often criticize your appearance?
*Hit, kick, punch, shove or physically hurt you when they are angry?
*Often have angry outbursts?
*Blame you for their problems and behavior?
*Treat you nicely in public, but demean and hurt you in private?
*Become easily angered or irritated?
*Disrespect your parents?
*Demand an exclusive relationship?
*Criticize your friends and family?
*Make you do things you are not comfortable doing?
*Stalk you?
*Attack or make fun of your beliefs and opinions?
*Demean or joke about you in the presence of others?
*Require sex in any form from you?
Do you…
*Feel the need to always defend yourself?
*Have to give an accounting of your time when you are away from him/her?
*Need to ask permission to do something that does not include him/her?
*Feel afraid of him/her?
*Feel that you cannot do some of the activities you once did?
*Feel your thoughts, opinions and feelings are not being considered?
*Make excuses for his/her behavior?
Recognizing these warning signs is the first step in removing yourself from a destructive relationship. It’s time to talk. Tell a trustworthy person, seek help and resources. Take the next step to be completely safe.
Our Teen FOCUS program helps teens, youth, students to recognize the red flags and to provide counseling and support as needed. Our Time To Talk booklet is especially helpful for parents and youth group leaders to get the conversations started. Consider a purchase from our FOCUS Ministries store today!
