"There are dramatic proposals on airplanes happening just in the nick of time, and love that blossoms in the face of terminal illness, and seemingly impossible relationships thriving against all odds. But while I enjoy a good love story as much as the next mom, my work as a pediatric emergency medicine physician informs my perspective on the myriad ways romantic relationships have the potential to cause young people harm."
"Speaking to our kids about potentially sensitive topics establishes conversational scaffolding, which is a term I use frequently. This matters because discussing healthy relationships in the context of early friendships then establishes a structure for future conversations about healthy dating dynamics. Without question, the building blocks for positive romantic relationships are learned through navigating childhood friendships. Engaging with our kids about the dynamics of friendship and how we should actively choose our friends is important."
Childhood friendships teach the building blocks for positive romantic relationships, including how to choose friends and navigate social dynamics. Early conversations about healthy friendships create conversational scaffolding that makes later discussions about dating easier. Media portrayals of romance often emphasize grand gestures and idealized narratives that can obscure real risks adolescents face in intimate relationships. Parents commonly intervene when friendships go poorly, but talking about friendships when they are going well provides useful context for social struggles. Adolescents entering intimate relationships become vulnerable to new risks, so early guidance and open communication help shape perspectives and improve safety.
Read at Psychology Today
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