Having a Partner

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You can know people in different ways.

• You know some people very well… like friends and family.
• You spend lots of time together.
• You trust each other.
• You can tell them secrets and talk about anything.

But one person in your life may be special.

• This person is like your best friend, but even closer.
• This person may make you feel loved, happy, or excited.
• This person can be called:
  • A boyfriend or girlfriend
  • A husband or wife
  • A lover
  • A partner

People choose on other person to be their partner.

• If you pick a person and that person pick you, then...
• Both of you have a ‘relationship’.

Partners in a relationship like to:

• Be together a lot of the time
• Kiss and hug
• Hold hands
• Touch each other
• Sometimes they also choose to have sex

In a healthy relationship both of you make choices.

• Both of you choose when you want to be together.
• Both of you choose what you want to do together.
• Both of you choose if you want to:
  • Kiss,
  • Touch each other, or
  • Have sex.

Sex can be part of a healthy relationship.

• You can have sex only if both of you want to.
• You do NOT have to have sex with anyone if you don’t want to!
• If both of you choose to have sex, talk about safe sex first.
• Learn more about safe sex

Do you have a healthy relationship?

• Do you make choices together about what to do?
• Do you feel safe with your partner?
• Do you feel good when you are with him or her?
• Do you share feelings and ideas?
• Do you talk about it when you disagree?
• If so, it sounds like you have a healthy relationship.
• Do you have an unhealthy relationship?
• Do you feel sad, angry, scared, or worried around your partner?
• Does your partner make you do things you do not want to do?
• Do you hide feelings from each other?
• Do you yell or hurt each other when you disagree?
• If so, it sounds like you do not have a healthy relationship.

You can get hurt in an unhealthy relationship.

• If you think your relationship is not healthy, you should talk to:
• A friend or family member that you trust,
• Someone from your church, or
• A counselor.
• If your partner hits you, call 911 or tell someone you trust today!

Relationships can make you have strong feelings.

• You may have different feelings about your partner at different times:
  • Happy
  • Excited
  • In love
• Or sometimes:
  • Angry
  • Frustrated
  • Hurt

In a healthy relationship you can always talk about how you feel.

• Tell your partner how you feel.
• Talk about good feelings and bad feelings.
• Talk to close friends and family about your relationship, too.
• If you need to talk to someone else, ask your support person to help you find a counselor.

Learn more about relationships and sex on the DDS SafetyNet.

• Safe Relationships