Why is it important to teach children and youth about healthy relationships?
Having healthy relationships is a vital part of a person’s overall wellbeing, and our children and youth are no different. Children and youth need positive connections with parents, family, peers, teachers, coaches, and other authority figures. Since children and youth don’t have a lot of life experience, they often don’t know what a healthy relationship looks like. This can become a problem when they start dating, but it’s equally important in friendships, sibling interactions, and relationships with adults such as teachers. If children and youth are not aware of the characteristics of a healthy relationship, they can end up in an unhealthy relationship without even realizing it.
The best way for children and youth to learn about healthy relationships is by watching their parents/caregivers. When they see their parents/caregivers treating each other, friends, and family with honesty, respect, trust, and open communication, children and youth will begin to expect that type of treatment in their own relationships. However, not every child has a healthy home environment. As educators you play a key role in helping children and youth learn about and determine what healthy relationships look like.
Characteristics of Healthy Relationships:
Trust: Feeling like they can rely on each other and be there for support. They believe the other person will not do anything intentional to hurt them.
Respect. Talking to each other in ways that don’t put down, insult, or belittle. They value each other’s time and opinions. They protect each other’s privacy and personal space.
Honesty: Being truthful and open. They can express what they want, or discuss their hopes, without fearing how the other person will respond. They don’t feel like the other person is hiding things from them.
Growth. In a healthy relationship, people want each other to enjoy their favorite activities, learn new things, and spend time with family and friends alike. In life, our hopes, fears, goals, and interests will constantly change, and people who are in good relationships will understand, and even embrace, those changes.
Empathy: Each person should be willing to understand and validate the other person’s perspective.
Balance of Power: Both people feel like they are on equal footing. They can make their own decisions without fear of retaliation or judgment. They feel physically safe, respect each other’s opinions and independence.
Compromise: Conflict is bound to arise in every relationship. People should be able to compromise and negotiate to a mutually agreeable solution when there are disagreements.
Communication: People should be able to share their feelings, even when they don’t agree, in a way that makes the other person feel safe, heard, and not judged.
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