Relationships. Healthy, Unhealthy, or Abusive?

1) Before Reading: Look at the pictures. What do they show?

What is happening?
2) Read the first 3 paragraphs and fill in the blanks with the words in
the box.
flags society time love good partner

1
2 3

All relationships exist on a spectrum. Ranging from healthy, to unhealthy, to abusive. Often,
especially when we are new to dating or still learning about our ______(1), we may not
recognize early signs of green flags (signs the relationship is healthy) or miss or misconstrue
yellow or red flags (signs the relationship is unhealthy or abusive).

Early on, we are so caught up in getting to know each other and falling in _______(2) that we
focus on the ways in which we are similar to our dates and the ways in which we feel
_______(3) in their presence. It’s easy to see the similarities as green flags, and in the early
stages of relationships and dating, they may be!

In our __________ (4) and in the media, we love the idea of romance and fairy tales as it
relates to dating. There are certain behaviors that have been romanticized that are in fact
unhealthy and can lead to an abusive relationship. Behaviors such as jealousy or only spending
_______ (5) with your dating partner are most definitely yellow _________ (6) to be aware of.

3) Let’s look at examples of green, yellow, and red flags in relationships.

What sign(s) does each picture portrait?

GREEN FLAGS

If you and your honey are noticing these behaviors in each other, these are great signs the
relationship is healthy and loving:

A) They actively listen.

B) They know how to share their own feelings.
C) They keep their word, their actions match their words.
D) They’re sensitive to your needs.
E) They _______________.
F) They take conflict head on.
G) They can remain calm and rational during conflicto.
H) They_______________.
4
I) They respect your boundaries.
J) They have their own boundaries.
 K) They compliment you and express appreciation

YELLOW FLAGS

While green and red signs are clear indicators that the relationship is either healthy or abusive,
yellow signs can be a bit more confusing. Very often, yellow flags occur prior to red flags, so it
is crucial to recognize and respond to these before it is too late.

A) They talk negatively about you in front of others.

B) They are __________.
C) They want you to only spend time with them. 5
D) They _____________.
E) They become angry quickly or irrationally.
F) They _________you.
G) They become overbearing or insistent during
conversations.
H) They pressure you into doing things you aren’t
comfortable with.

RED FLAGS

If you notice any of these signs with your partner, it is very likely that you are in an abusive
relationship. Abusive relationships most often get worse as time goes on. The mental and
physical health consequences of maintaining an abusive relationship are life altering.

A) They tell you how to dress or act.

B) They isolate you from your friends or family.

C) They _____________ (push, shove, slap, hold down, spit, kick, punch, pull hair, firm
gripping).

D) They _____________________.

E) They use demeaning or threatening language with you.

6
F) They_______________, manipulated, controlled or “crazy”. 6

G) They stalk you physically or online.

4) Read again and fill in the blanks with the missing words. Are they green, yellow or red signs?

DISTRUST APOLOGIZE MAKE YOU FEEL AFRAID

FORCE YOU INTO A SEX ACT PHYSICALLY HURT YOU
SUPPORT YOUR GROWTH AVOID CONFLICT OFTEN JEALOUS
5) What is happening here? What kinds of signs are portrayed? Give your opinion.