The Relationship Spectrum

Everyone wants to be loved and cared for by their partner. Because a relationship consists of two people, it is important that each person knows how much the other means to them.

Even in healthy relationships, we can mess up and do something upsetting. In a healthy relationship, you should feel comfortable telling your partner when something upsets you and they should take it seriously and work with you to ensure your safety and happiness.

The silent treatment only leaves room for more confusion. There will be days that you and your partner disagree on some things, and it is important that you keep your communication strong. It’s not right for you or your partner to hold grudges. And silence alone is unhealthy for any relationship.

The things you enjoy should be important to your partner even if they are not the same as what they enjoy. They should always encourage you to do what makes you happy.

Sometimes, you just need a break and going away on vacation is a great way to take one. Your partner should understand that. Of course, you may miss them, but you realize and appreciate all the fun you are having anyway.

When you join a social network, it doesn't ask for the name of two people, it just asks for one. So remember that and know what you say and do on your profile should be your business. Your partner shouldn't have a say so on who you follow, what you post or who leaves you a message.

It is not ok if your partner makes you feel bad or guilty for wanting to hang out with a friend instead of them. In a healthy relationship, your partner respects, and trusts you when you are out with your friends and doesn’t make you feel like you constantly have to prove your love.

Blocking your way like that is emotional abuse. While someone’s physical safety may be threatened they're not physically being assaulted, the effect is not physical harm but it has a very emotional impact.

Compromise is the key to a healthy relationship and when your wishes differ from that of your partner, there should be compromise. Healthy relationships don’t feel one sided. They feel as though both partners are important and matter in the relationship.

Anytime a partner continues to do something after you tell them it makes you uncomfortable, they are being abusive.

When you make an agreement with someone, they should respect that agreement. It is important that you and your partner respect one another’s space and the agreements you make with each other.

First things first: jealousy of any kind is NOT a sign of love. If you spend time with your partner regularly, then they should understand and respect your decision to spend time with other people, especially if it’s your family or friends.

You have a right to privacy and if your partner threatens to expose parts of you or your relationship as a way to control your actions, that is abuse.

Your partner should feel that your happiness is important and enjoy hearing about your day, even when it’s just going over your daily routine.

Gifts should not come with expectations, particularly of sexual acts that may make the other partner uncomfortable or that they’re not ready for. Demanding this type of repayment is abusive.

Everybody deserves space even from their dating partner. Feeling as though you don’t have enough is a sign of an unhealthy relationship.

You have the right to keep some things private. Demanding access to your finances is abusive.

No matter how healthy the relationship, no two people will always like all the same things. But name-calling is an abusive behavior and unnecessarily hurtful. Why do they care about your food choice?

t is never okay for someone to strike their partner and it is certainly abusive for the person who was violent to blame their behavior on their victim.

You and your partner should have enough respect for one another where you two understand what information should be shared– such as hobbies and mutual interests -- and what should not be shared -- like social security numbers and pin codes to bank accounts.