Trigger warning: Mentions of dating violence/abuse.
When one typically thinks of February, they go straight towards Valentine’s Day or Black History Month. Both events are important aspects of this specific month, offering room for remembrance and appreciation. However, the month of February also happens to represent Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), to bring attention to understanding the signs and overall impact of unhealthy relationships. There is more to unpack concerning teen dating violence and how it can profoundly affect one’s mental health.
According to the National Institute of Justice, teen dating violence is defined as intimate relationship violence or intimate partner violence (IPV) among adolescents. This adolescent relationship abuse consists of harassment, stalking, physical, psychological, or sexual abuse of anyone between the ages of 12 and 18. This means of abuse falls under the context of a current or past romantic/consensual relationship (n.d., p. 1). Such a definition provides a basis to understand what encompasses teen dating violence when further breaking down this critical issue in society. Across studies, it’s been estimated that about 14 percent of girls and 8 percent of boys have reported sexual victimization (Wincentak et al., 2017, as cited in DePrince, 2023, p. 2). This statistic puts into perspective the need to be concerned about teens navigating dating and what a healthy relationship looks like.
More specifically, some teens may not have healthy depictions of romantic relationships in their lives or may not quite understand how to have one themselves. Dating can be unfamiliar territory for teens in a period of life marked by change and development. Teens are trying to find a sense of self, which is easier said than done. This period of change or growth, combined with exploring romantic relationships, can be a lot, especially if there isn’t quite a healthy relationship to observe. So, parents must model a healthy relationship when being one of the most influential people in their child’s life. Parents can provide guidance on building a healthy relationship and handling disagreements. For example, parents can help their child understand the impact of one’s words by labeling behaviors rather than individuals, leading to more effective communication (Jeglic, 2020, pp. 2-3).
The role that parents play in their child’s life isn’t something to be downplayed. Parents have the opportunity to provide influential guidance as teens make sense of their relationships. The ability to provide firsthand guidance and model a healthy, romantic relationship can provide a foundation that teens can refer to when encountering the ups and downs of dating. If this means of guidance isn’t present, there is room for teens to experience a higher chance of dating violence, resulting in poor physical and mental health. There could be adverse effects such as depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts, etc. This can result in lower educational outcomes or disruptive behaviors. Meanwhile, dating violence has been linked to poor physical health and could result in chronic conditions concerning heart disease, elevated blood pressure, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain (Orchowski, 2021, p. 1). These effects are crucial to note when understanding the impact dating violence can have on teens, an impressionable demographic.
More so, teen dating violence is a serious matter when starting to understand the effects on one’s overall health. This type of violence isn’t something that one can efficiently work past as they progress into adulthood; it can manifest over time. Teens who have experienced dating violence in high school have a higher likelihood of being in violent relationships in college and adulthood. There’s a need to be proactive when stopping patterns indicative of dating violence behaviors while promoting the development of healthy relationships to prevent further violence. It can be helpful to have background knowledge of warning signs, such as isolation, unexplained injuries, a possessive partner, and so on. These are a few signs that can indicate teens experiencing abuse when normalizing jealousy and volatile conflict as signs of intensity or love (Orchowski, 2021, p. 2). Such information sheds light on the need to be aware of or have some semblance of background knowledge when understanding what encompasses teen dating violence as a whole.
In other words, it’s of great value to take the time to educate oneself about teen dating violence. If one takes the time to educate themselves, they can help teens safely navigate out of a toxic relationship. Teens can’t always grasp the gravity of the situation or see the potential for harm in the moment. There needs to be a means of assistance or guidance to help teens seek support, along with appropriate educational tools. Most prevention programs teach teens the distinctions between healthy and abusive behaviors in relationships. There is a focus on teaching one how to develop the skills and attitudes needed to engage in positive behaviors, such as effective communication and conflict resolution. Some programs can also explore expectations concerning gender roles and equity. Such an overall focus has been linked with positive changes in teens’ knowledge, attitudes, and reports of perpetration (Lee & Wong, 2022, as cited in DePrince, 2023, p. 5). Programs of this nature can make all the difference to aid teens in understanding the warning signs of dating violence with greater confidence.
Thus, there is a need to understand what encompasses teen dating violence to see the bigger picture concerning mental health. Unhealthy relationships can take a toll on anyone, especially teens, which is worth emphasizing. The greater awareness surrounding this issue, the more inclined teens are to break the stigma associated with dating violence. Many don’t share their experiences because they fear victim-blaming or not being heard effectively. If there are greater educational opportunities along with support, there’s an opportunity to see positive change that can significantly impact many lives.
References
National Institute of Justice. (n.d.). Teen Dating Violence.
Orchowski, L. (2021, November 16). Teens and Dating Violence. Brown University Health.
~ Lauren Montoya is a Southern California native with a background in sociology and liberal studies. She hopes to become a licensed mental health clinician in the future. Lauren is passionate about animal welfare, mental health, and the arts.