Teen relationships can be as violent and abusive as those of adults - and just as dangerous!
Before teenagers have figured out how to deal with romantic relationships, they are forming
committed bonds.
Teenagers often confuse jealousy, possessiveness and controlling behavior with love.
Who a teen is dating can affect his or her standing in the hierarchy of popularity.
Many teens believe that no one else really understands his or her partner, and he or she is
the only one who can help make things “right.”
Abusive dating partners are usually romantic and charming at first. They may sweep their partners off their feet with lots of attention and intense bonding.
Because of their limited frame of reference, teens may not recognize abuse when it occurs.
Teenagers may be uncomfortable talking to their parents because they are embarrassed or because they are afraid of losing newly acquired privileges and independence.
Adults are often guilty of not taking adolescent relationships seriously or, conversely, of overreacting to them.
Teens take their relationships seriously and feel very deeply about them. They cannot “just break up” with their dating partners.
Teens may not confide in their peers because the abusive partner is well liked by their mutual friends. The victim may not be believed, or may face social ostracism, if he or she speaks up about the abusive partner.
A teen may be in an abusive relationship if his or her dating partner:
is physically violent
forces the victim to have sex
threatens to leave the relationship if the victim doesn’t do what partner wants
uses verbal insults, ridicules, put-downs
destroys the victim’s personal property
stalks the victim
threatens to hurt or kill him/herself if the victim leaves the relationship
threatens to hurt or kill the victim
A teen may be in an abusive relationship if he or she:
has sudden changes in behavior:
-
becomes moody or depressed
- becomes a “loner”
- has a drop in grades
- loses interest in future plans
- starts breaking rules
- becomes hostile and secretive
- removes self from usual interactions with family and friends
- stops seeing friends
has repeated bruises
makes sudden changes in appearance
is unable to make decisions
checks with partner before making any decision
is afraid to speak up when partner is present
never disagrees with partner
becomes fearful and anxious
excuses, justifies or apologizes for partner’s bad behavior
spends all of his or her free time either with, or waiting for, partner
Abusive teen dating relationships set the stage for future abusive relationships.
It is vitally important to take abusive teen relationships seriously. If a relationship turns violent, the teenager may be seriously injured - or even killed.
