Relationships

Personal relationships play one of the most important roles in our lives. They do not only refer to who you are ‘going out with’, but also friends, family, work mates and social groups.

Good, healthy relationships can make you feel confident, heard, accepted, happy and needed. Bad or unhealthy 
relationships can make you feel well, bad. It’s important to surround yourself with people who genuinely care about you and want the best for you.

Sometimes you might feel that some people in your life don’t really get you or are treating you in a way that makes you feel like you can’t be yourself. Sometimes you just don’t agree with the way someone is behaving or you feel pressured into doing something you don’t want to due to peer pressure or to please someone else. You are always going to come across people that you don’t click with and this is just part of life. However, if these relationships are effecting your self esteem and your self-worth don’t just put up with it, do something about it.

Below are a few things that are warning signs of an unhealthy relationship:

• Pressures you for sex, nude photos or videos
• Unwanted sexual attention
• Calls you names, puts you down or embarrasses you
• Expects you to do things you don’t want to
• Isolates you from friends and family
• Uses jealousy as a sign of true love
• Physical violence
• You feel scared
• Blames you for things they are responsible for
• Uses guilt to make you do something

Remember think about how you would like to be treated and make sure that's how your treating other people.

Relationships and Sex

For a sexual experience to be enjoyable, there needs to be consent meaning those involved have said a clear yes to what is happening. ‘No’ does not mean ‘Yes’. Consent can also change meaning someone may have said yes in the beginning, but depending on how the person is feeling and what you are doing, have changed their mind. If a consent changes it must be respected and this can be talked about beforehand.

A few things to think about before you consent are:

• There is no pressure from either person
• You feel comfortable with the other person and know they respect your safety and your feelings
• You trust the other person
• You are being responsible with contraception
• Just because someone has paid for a date does not mean you owe them sex

Useful Links

Youth Line
Provide resources and support for young people on many topics including relationships. Visit their website Opens in new window

Sex ‘n’ Respect
Sexual respect is caring for the safety and pleasure of whomever you choose to be sexual with. Know your rights. Visit their website Opens in new window