Relationships
Why should I learn about relationships?
Throughout your life, you are likely to have different types of relationships with lots of people. This includes relationships with family, friends, pets, colleagues and intimate relationships.
It can help to learn about relationships because it’s important to know how you should treat others and how others should treat you.
For example, some relationships are healthy but it’s also possible to have unhealthy relationships with people so it’s good to be aware of this.
What is a healthy relationship?
Healthy relationships are relationships that make you feel happy and safe. Sometimes, you may experience problems with someone you have a healthy relationship with, but the important thing is that you’re able to work through your problems in a nice way.
All relationships should have healthy features. These include:
- Respecting each other
- Trust
- Honesty
- Communicating well
- Not being scared of each other.
What is an unhealthy relationship?
Unhealthy relationships make you feel upset and unsafe and are not good for you.
Unhealthy relationships can involve:
- Disrespect
- Physical and emotional abuse
- Feeling scared of someone
- Violence and bullying.
It’s possible to have unhealthy relationships with different people, including family and friends. If you have an unhealthy relationship with someone, you should speak to someone you trust about it so that you can get help.
What should I do if I’m getting bullied or having problems with someone?
It’s likely that you could go through problems with people you know and this is a natural part of life. Sometimes you might have problems that aren’t damaging and can be sorted out simply.
If you’re having problems with a friend and you’d like support, you could always talk to someone at home or school for advice.
Sometimes it’s possible to have serious problems with someone, such as bullying. Although it shouldn’t happen and nobody has the right to make you feel bad, many children and young people experience bulling. You can read more about bullying and how you can get help and support here.
This information has been provided by our school nurses and NHS Choices.