Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

Every year teenagers in high school and young adults in college experience domestic violence from the person they are dating. Some attempt suicide because of the damaging effects of the relationship. Also, some of them keep it a secret and hide it from their parents. Dating is tough for a teenager. Yet, dating someone violent, possessive, and jealous is not a healthy relationship. 

Dating someone at an early age can make you want to feel loved and appreciated. It makes you want to enjoy their company and often you might ignore yourself throughout the relationship. However, there might be some challenges, confusion, and bitter arguments with them as you date them in your teenage years. Yet, those arguments can make them abusive to you. Every year in February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. 

Arguments are normal in a healthy relationship if there is no hitting or violence. Hitting is a bad indication in a relationship because both of you lose respect for each other. Secondly, shouting, pushing, and making a black eye is not acceptable. Another indication of an unhealthy relationship is forced sexual intimacy. Teen dating violence can be prevented by being alert to certain behavioral actions and listening carefully to the way they speak to you. 

If they tell you that you are beautiful but need to change your physical appearance; Do not continue with this type of relationship. Changing someone's physical appearance is not a good indication of a healthy relationship. For example, they might tell you to dye your hair, get body implants, body piercings, or tattoos that their megastars have. These things make you feel not good enough and unwanted in your relationship. Never change your physical appearance and love yourself. 

It is difficult to date someone during your teenage years because you are still discovering yourself. As well as wanting to be liked, loved, and appreciated by your boyfriend or girlfriend. Yet, being slapped and being abused verbally is unacceptable. Being harassed and letting them know where you are twenty-four hours is not healthy. The more your boyfriend or girlfriend controls the relationship, the more harmful it is for you. 

Nonetheless, if these things occur to you, do not hide it from your parents. Often you might believe that your relationship can get better if you change yourself for them. Additionally, when your boyfriend or girlfriend physically and emotionally abuses you; Your relationship becomes unbearable and cannot be repaired. Furthermore, if they tend to make jokes about your physical appearance, your clothes, and shoes; End this type of relationship. Do not permit your boyfriend or girlfriend to make jokes about you. 

Wear orange to bring an understanding to Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Orange is the designated color for Orange 4 Love Day which occurs in February. Orange is also used for survivors of violent teen dating. The second Tuesday is Orange 4 Love Day where you can participate in group discussions at school regarding teen dating violence prevention. Use the hashtags, #TDVAM2024 and #Orange4Love on social media for teen dating violence prevention.

This year on February 6th, wear orange to bring awareness of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Pass out flyers, attend a class, or post resources to prevent teen violence. Also, have conversations with your friends to have a better understanding of the damaging effects of teen dating with violence. Learn about healthy boundaries in a relationship and confide in your parents for advice. Here are resources about teen dating violence awareness month. 

 

Teen Dating Violence Month:

https://www.peacefromdv.org/teendvmonth/

10 Actions for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month:

https://safe-sound.org/learningcenter/10-actions-for-teen-dating-violence-awareness-month/

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month:

https://www.joinonelove.org/learn/teen_dating_violence_awareness_month/

* Font, background, and artwork created in Photo Collage Editor Maker