Teenage Dating Violence is common and usually isn’t talked about enough. People will dismiss it by saying things like “They’re just kids”, “They’ll grow out of it”, or “They didn’t know any better”. These accusations only cover up the fact teenage dating violence is real and can harm the physical and mental state of a child’s mind. Statistics show 81% of parents believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know it’s an issue and almost 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year. So why isn’t teen dating violence talked about enough? Only 33% of teens who were in abusive relationships ever told anyone about the abuse. People show signs when they are in an abusive relationship. It may be hard to identify the signs but when you see them say something immediately for it can get worse with time. Some signs to look out for are: isolation from friends and family; explosive temper or unusual mood swings; using insults, intimidation, or humiliation; extreme jealousy, insecurity, or controlling behavior; and abusing alcohol or drugs. One in three young people will be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship and won’t speak up about it. Why does teen dating violence happen? It is a sense of entitlement. Because teenagers are still developing new emotions and grow up with a specific idea of what a relationship should be like from how they see their parents or guardians, some feel the need to gain control and power over their partner. Some may have learned from experience that being abusive gets them what they want and others believe they can get away with it if they cover it up with “love”.
If you know someone who is struggling to realize they are in an abusive relationship or they get out of one and don’t know how, Call 1-866-331-9474. This is the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline, open 24/7 with text, phone, and live chat services. This hotline can help answer any further concerns about Teenage Dating Violence.
