Youth Over Violence

I have learned many things while being in this “Peace Over Violence Be Strong Class” about the many young girls that are in abusive relationships. This has helped me in my relationship to realize that arguing or “rough joking” is not healthy. I have also learned that many women get killed by their abusive partners because they couldn’t get out of the relationship . Now I look for the warning signs of a bad relationship to make sure I am living a safe and healthy life, free from violence.

In the Be Strong class, I learned that when you are being abused by someone a option is to report it to the police to protect yourself from being hurt more. I also learned the importance of not being ashamed or embarrassed to tell someone like your parents. If you have a partner that starts screaming at you, you should access the relationship before it turns physically violent and you get hurt.

I learned that teen dating violence is very subtle and hard to see sometimes. The abusive partner starts by getting control in little bits and pieces, not all at one time. An example is a partner blowing up your cell phone to check where you are. This is not love, this is control slowly. Sooner or later the partner will be telling you that you can’t go certain places or wear certain clothes.

I learned some of the differences between men and women that aren’t biological but instead society created the differences. And its too bad that women have been placed lower than men by society. But this class has taught me to empower myself to not feel bad when I need to say NO or get my point across.

I learned that 35% of college boys would rape if they could get away with it and this is a pretty sad fact because college is supposed to be for those who are smart and make good decisions. But now I see that anyone can be a rapist, it doesn’t matter if they go to college or dropped out of high school.

I learned that rape is when someone if forced into sexual intercourse. And just because a woman doesn’t kick or scream or fight back doesn’t mean that its not rape. Its still rape!

I learned that rape is when someone if forced into sexual intercourse. And just because a woman doesn’t kick or scream or fight back doesn’t mean that its not rape. Its still rape!
In a violent relationship there is usually a cycle of violence that occurs: tension building, acute or abusive, then the honeymoon. In a relationship going through this cycle, the woman often doesn’t leave because of the make up during honeymoon. She believes his apologies and thinks the violence will stop. I liked that I learned this cycle because it is very true and is helpful to understand the patterns of bad relationships, so that I won’t get in one.

My friend’s boyfriend told her he didn’t like the way she dressed. He would act jealous and when they broke up he lied and said they had nothing in common. I don’t think my friend knew she was in an unhealthy relationship, but now that I have learned the signs, I definitely think that was an unhealthy relationship. Teaching about ad relationships and teen dating violence in school would have helped her and others like her in those types of situations. I feel that in a relationship your partner should love you for who you are, not by the way you dress or look. Relationships are supposed to be based on love.

Teen dating violence is something that unfortunately happens between couples every day. Some teens report, while others don’t. Some teens stay in the relationship and endure violence repeatedly, because they don’t know how to break the cycle. Others break up the relationship regardless of the consequences. However, some don’t end up that nicely; some teens stay hurt and paralyzed by the damage.