Teen Dating and Physical, Sexual and Psychological Abuse

Teenagers usually dream of romance and meeting their beautiful princess or charming prince for the first time. Most teens find this chance when they go off into the world of dating. Some parents may see this as thoroughly alarming and may find themselves anxious and sleepless while waiting for the familiar steps of their son/ daughter on the front steps. While many teens may see this as an over reaction on the part of over protective parents, they should know that heir parents' fears may have some basis.

Based on studies, at least one in three high school students may experience violence while in a relationship or at least while seeing someone socially. It does no good to downgrade dating violence as something less than what it is because its effects may have far reaching effects that may damage how a teenager relates socially in the future. Contrary to popular belief, both male and female teenagers experience date violence and not just the females as the stereotype may point to. It is also true however, that teenage girls may experience dating violence more than boys. Parents therefore may feel naturally protective of their daughters rather than their sons because there is a higher chance of a female being victimized than a male and for a female victim, the damage may be extensive.

There are many ways to abuse a person, but these many ways can basically be grouped into three major types of abuse: physical, sexual and psychological.

Physical abuse is of course naturally thought as most common and probably the easiest to identify. When your date intentionally hits you, manhandles you, shoves you and batters you in whatever way possible, then you are being physically abused. The crucial thing to remember is that there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to physically abuse you. Physical abuse, even when it is slight, should be the measure used to determine if a relationship is no longer worth keeping. Once you start getting battered, get out of the relationship.

Sexual abuse in itself is a form of physical abuse but it leans more towards forcing someone to perform sexual acts. This type of abuse may be initiated even on the first date, but even if it is initiated at a much later time, the truth of the matter is, no one has the right to force someone to have sex with him/ her. If a teen is not ready to be sexually intimate with someone, he or she has every right to protest.

Psychological abuse may be both overt and subtle. You are being psychologically abused if your date speaks to you with obvious disrespect intended to degrade you. He/ she may shout profanities at you or call you names or even verbally embarrass you in front of people. You may also be abused in a less obvious manner such as when your girlfriend/ boyfriend implies that you are a loser or a good for nothing.

Sometimes, these types of abuse may happen simultaneously. While your date may be abusing you physically, he/ she may also be psychologically abusing you.

Violence in dating especially among teenagers is indeed a sad and depressing reality. It is therefore, of paramount importance to educate our teens and help them realize that they have the right to be treated with dignity.