It is good for dating teenagers to pay attention to the behavioral patterns that emerge during interactions with their partners. Some patterns may be red flags or symptoms of a toxic relationship, while others are green flags. Green flags are signs that a relationship is safe, validating, and respectful. If teens do not know how to assess the nature of their relationship, they can seek teen relationship advice from reliable sources, such as trusted adults or social information platforms. Here are some tips for recognizing and understanding the green flags of a healthy relationship:
Safety and Comfort
Every relationship has an energy that impacts the dating parties positively or negatively after every interaction. It is a green flag to have a relationship that leaves you with happy and fulfilled feelings after every engagement. A healthy relationship feels safe and encourages self-acceptance. Interactions with partners are peaceful, and each person is authentic and freely expresses themself without reservations.
Emotional Validation
In a good relationship, partners try to understand and support each other. Emotional validation recognizes all feelings as valid and reasonable. During communication, there is attention, eye contact, touch, and verbal and nonverbal affirmations. When one partner is low, the other is supportive and empathetic. When one partner is excited, the other matches their energy.
Consistent and Honest Communication
It is a green flag to have a relationship with consistent and open communication. Partners draw close to each other when they have honest, difficult conversations. Authentic communication strengthens the bond as it facilitates empathy and provides solutions during challenges. Bottling up emotions is a red flag, as it may lead to bitterness and angry outbursts later. Seeking teen relationship advice can help you build the necessary skills to enhance healthy communication in your relationship.
Shared Values
Two people can build a strong relationship if they have similar values and perspectives on key issues. Having a common worldview and aligned priorities reinforces the mutual understanding in the union. Sharing a common view on issues such as sexuality, gender equality, politics, finances, and spirituality may enhance the bond between two people. Having extremely different values is a red flag that may strain a relationship.
Self-improvement
A good relationship inspires each person to improve and be better versions of themselves emotionally, socially, and professionally. It is a green flag when a relationship encourages individuals to focus on and pursue their goals. This type of support inspires each party to enhance their strengths, work on weaknesses, and maximize the opportunities life offers.
Future Plans
When you’re in a healthy relationship, you should be able to talk openly about plans for the future. Having an end goal and long-term dreams and ambitions to achieve together builds commitment to the relationship. It is easier to trust a partner who willingly and comfortably discusses long-term plans.
Kind Treatment
It is a green flag to have a partner who consistently cares about your well-being. Kindness, understanding, and respect for each other are key ingredients of a good relationship. Look for an accommodating partner who treats you well despite your differences. It is wise to observe how a partner treats their friends, relatives, and strangers, as they may give you similar treatment in the future.
Meeting Needs
A relationship has green flags if it adequately meets the needs of each party. Both partners should be able to recognize and comfortably accommodate the needs of the other. A fulfilling relationship allows you to express your desires and have them met without being made to feel dramatic, needy, or unreasonable.
Independent Lives and Interests
It is a green flag to date a healthy individual who has interests and hobbies outside of your relationship and is focused on pursuing their own goals. A couple does not have to spend all their free time together. Independent partners can separately enjoy their hobbies, spend time with family and friends, or continue self-discovery away from each other. Having a co-dependent partner may strain a relationship.
Get Teen Relationship Advice
Teens who want to date should prioritize a safe, enriching, and fulfilling relationship. If you need help identifying the signs of a good or bad relationship, seek the advice of a trusted adult or licensed professional. Credible online resources provide teen relationship advice that encourages partners to nurture healthy, safe, respectful, and fulfilling relationships. Contact a family resource center or view their website to learn more about the red and green flags in teen relationships.
