Healthy relationships don’t just “happen.” Don’t let yourself be swayed by intense passion, either. Great sex is indeed, wonderful, but it’s even greater when paired with respect, love, and conscious, deliberate care between partners.

What are some characteristics of a healthy relationship?

Equality
• Equal decision making power
• Shared responsibility in the relationship
• Neither partner restricts the other to gender roles
• Outside support networks of friends and family for both partners

Communication
• Sharing of thoughts and ideas
• Opinions of each partner are valued equally
• Each partner listens to the other
• Partners use respectful language and gestures, even in disagreement

Trust
• Partners are honest with and believe one another
• Both partners accept the validity of each other’s feelings
• Partners are dependable

Safety
• Partners are emotionally supportive and encouraging
• Safe sharing of fears or insecurities
• Respect for each other’s physical space
• Physical force is never used to assert one’s will or as punishment
• Each partner supports the other’s goals, feelings, friends, and activities
• Partners accept ‘No’ and their partner’s right to choose his/her sexual values and limits

Adapted from the Vanderbilt University’s Project Safe and the Virginia Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Commonwealth Campaign’s Red Flag Campaign.