What is a Healthy Dating Relationship?

What is a healthy dating relationship? 

Have you ever been asked about this topic in school, at home, or anywhere else? Are there certain universal truths that constitute a healthy one? These are all good questions. Society doesn’t talk that much about the subject. Generally, it is assumed that an individual would know instinctively what a healthy dating relationship is, and how to initiate, develop, and maintain one.

If you ask the average person this question, he or she will explain that it is a relationship governed by mutual respect and good communication. Great answer, but what does that mean? It sounds like a vague cliché. Upon reflection, there is not much training on the subject either unless you had good, parental role models. Unfortunately, most of us learn about healthy or unhealthy dating through trial and error. This is a sad commentary, but it is the truth.

Besides this lack of knowledge, the media pumps us daily with images of love being relationships dominated by manipulation and control. Disrespect of all types is also a common denominator seen on television/movies, and in books and magazines. The media’s portrayal of dating relationships is governed by sexual encounters, roller coaster relationships, and endless infidelity. It is no wonder our mindset about healthy dating often gets skewed.

If this definition of love is not troubling enough, there is an overall confusion with the word itself. Most of the time, a talk about healthy dating is really a discussion about what comprises an unhealthy dating relationship. Typically, you learn about all the warning signs indicative of emotional, physical, mental, and sexual abuse. For some of the most knowledgeable though, there is no confusion at all. Without emotion, these individuals flatly make the claim that healthy relationships simply do not exist. In fact, they are pretty adamant that all dating partnerships are doomed to fail.

Regardless of your position on the subject in question, you may be asking yourself how does my personal views about dating impact me and my partner? Just think about this for a moment. Does this discourse make you more aware of your beliefs and thoughts? Lastly, and most importantly, have you ever been asked these questions about healthy dating relationships before?

This reflection gives you the permission to analyze your own knowledge about healthy dating. Where do you stand? Deeply reflecting upon these things can lead to a healthy dialog about healthy dating relationships: an open discussion if you will. This is a good place to start.

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