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Should include these components:
BOUNDARIES:
Boundaries are the physical and emotional limits a person establishes in his or her relationships.
In healthy relationships, each individual respects the other’s emotional and physical boundaries and does not cross them. In unhealthy relationships, boundaries are ignored and people are made to feel uncomfortable--emotionally and physically.
EQUALITY:
Equality refers to the balance of the relationship.
In a healthy relationship, each individual has the equal input into decisions made. In an unhealthy relationship, one person tells the other what to do and expects full cooperation.
COMMUNICATION:
Communicate what you want and don’t want with other people in a relationship in an honest and respectful way that does not violate another person’s rights or put them down.
In healthy relationships, people do not hesitate to talk about things. In unhealthy relationships, communication is blocked.
SELF-ESTEEM:
Self-esteem is a term used to define how a person feels about themselves.
In healthy relationships, your self-esteem remains intact, you feel good about who you are, and feel comfortable in the relationship. In unhealthy relationships, you find your feelings of self-worth being compromised.
REMEMBER
Your self-esteem will remain positive if your boundaries are not violated, you communicate your thoughts and desires clearly, and you feel an equal member of the group or partnership.
Ask yourself these questions about your present relationship.
- Can you name at least five characteristics of this person that you really admire and like?
- Is this person glad that you have other friends?
- Does this person ask for your opinion about things?
- Does this person have good relationships with his or her family and friends?
- Does this person talk AND listen?
- Do you act like yourself when you are with this person?
- Does this person lose their temper easily?
- Does this person get angry or hurt if you don’t pay enough attention to him or her?
- Do you feel as though this person respects you?
- Can you share ‘good news’ and ‘bad news’ with this person?
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