One in three teenagers who are in relationships have suffered abuse at the hands (or minds) of their dates. Many of these young people stay in the abusive relationships. Sometimes the abuse is physical or sexual, but more common are such actions as social sabotage, psychological manipulation or emotional blackmail. Obsession or jealousy should be regarded as red flags by school-age dating prospects.
Tell-Tale Signs
The parents and peers of people in potentially abusive relationships should remain vigilant for tell-tale signs, including mood swings, uncommonly poor grades, isolation from friends and family members and drug or alcohol use. When an incidence of abuse does occur, the victim may try to blame herself (or, more rarely, himself) or may try to minimize the effects of the abuse. These are all classic traits that are extensively associated with domestic violence.
If You Loved Me...
Fortunately, groups such as Teens Experiencing Abusive Relationships (TEAR) have sprung up to help teens who may find themselves with nobody to which they can turn. They are faced with a partner who insists on exerting control without bestowing equal status upon them. If your partner is telling you who you can hang out with, how you can dress or imposes any other limitations on your freedom, you may be not far away from a much more serious situation.
Such abusive tendencies are never revealed at the beginning of a relationship, but only after a certain level of attachment has been reached, and are often followed with overt acts of kindness or generosity. Whether the abuse is restricted to mind games or comes in the form of physical or sexual violence, teens have to remove themselves from such relationships as soon as the abuse begins. Groups like TEAR are there to deliver compassion, understanding and a way out.
Looking for information on dating sites?
