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Understanding Family Dynamics

Family Dynamics: Healthy Vs. Unhealthy

 

How do we define a healthy relationship? Sometimes we as individuals often question ourselves or may often wonder if the relationship we are currently in is healthy or unhealthy. It is uncertain and confusing at times when you find yourself in a situation that may appear “normal”, but could be an indication of the initial start of an unhealthy relationship. We have to be aware of such cases because the overall environment of any relationship can cause either a negative or positive impact to your health and well being. 

 

According to the article,  “What Does a Healthy Relationship Look Like?”, written by Teen Dating Abuse Awareness and Prevention, a healthy relationship is based on “honesty, trust, respect and open communication between partners and they take effort and compromise from both people” (NY, 2021). Being able to display these characteristics on both sides is “a great demonstration of a healthy relationship and the foundation of maintaining such a relationship includes boundaries, communication, trust, and consent” (NY, 2021). Creating a space where one feels comfortable, safe, and respected is a great way to strive for a healthy relationship. 

Background
Note to self

Taking a Look At Common Characteristics

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According to another article titled, “Defining a Healthy Relationship”, which was authored by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, these are many of the traits often found in healthy relationships (Mass, 2021):

 

  1. Mutual Respect

  2. Trust

  3. Honesty

  4. Compromise

  5. Individuality

  6. Good Communication

  7. Anger Control

  8. Fighting Fair

  9. Problem Solving

  10. Understanding

  11. Self Confident

  12. Being a Role Model

 

Healthy relationships can only persist if both sides are cooperative and there is no imbalance of power or control over the other. This is not limited to partners, but also toward peers, friends, and even family members.

 

Unhealthy relationships, on the other hand, are often very toxic and can damage your health physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Estrangement can be evidence of an unhealthy relationship. In an article titled, “Healthy Relationships”, the National Domestic Violence Hotline made a great distinction between healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships. Most unhealthy relationship can include (Hotline, n.d.): 

 

  1. Not communicating

  2. Being disrespectful

  3. Not trusting one another

  4. Dishonesty

  5. Trying to take control

  6. Peer Pressure

  7. Unequal contribution

 

If one were to experience an unhealthy relationship combined with abusive behavior (though this is not always the case), it could be a very toxic and harmful environment to endure. Unhealthy relationships are not always easy to escape from and are a very difficult, potentially threatening decision to even consider given certain circumstances a person may be dealing with. However, there are several methods to deal with unhealthy relationships. For example, reaching out to mental health professionals and organizations that deal with unhealthy relationships, asking for support, or even ending the relationship completely can all help to remediate or escape toxic situations.

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