http://www.daterindistress.com/relationships/ Relationships can be tough, and some relationships are not understood by others. How is your relationship? en-us Tue, 16 May 2006 07:49:32 EDT Tue, 16 May 2006 07:49:32 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 If you're in a relationship, you know it takes work. But some relationships are difficult to understand. Abusive Relationships You see it all the time--seemingly level-headed people in what appear to be destructive relationships. For instance, Mary was at the gym one day and she observed a guy who looked like he was trying to be like Eminem with a girl who was a little overweight, but she looked like a very sweet person. The guy was yelling at her about something in front of everyone at the gym. He finally yelled, "I'm through with you. Give me the f#*&in' keys!" She didn't, and she didn't look as upset as you would think she would be. She wasn't smiling, but she wasn't crying or responding to him either. Mary was really afraid for that girl. A few weeks later though, that same couple was at the gym, and they were all smiles, he seemed to actually be having a good time working out with his girlfriend or whatever she was and really enjoying her company. In fact, the relationship looked as healthy, if not healthier, than any other. Mary also had a coworker who seemed to complain about her husband a lot. It was clear that they loved each other, but she would say things about what her husband said to her that Mary thought was abusive. In reality, nothing could be farther from the truth for this couple. Later, Mary became good friends with this girl and hung out with her and her husband and saw that for herself. One day it came up in conversation that Mary (and others in the office) thought at one time that this girl's husband was mentally abusive to her. That really opened the girl's eyes to what people thought when she complained about her husband, and she felt really bad. In the first instance (the couple at the gym) they probably really are in an abusive relationship. The second couple, probably not. But our perceptions of people's relationships are not always accurate. Statistics About Relationships Here are some statistics about abusive relationships: One in three teen dating relationships is abusive. In fact, 60% of women in one survey reported currently being involved in an ongoing abusive relationship. Women ages 16-24 experience the most abuse in their relationships 68% of all rapes are committed by someone who knew the victim (68%). 67% of college aged women who were raped reported that it was date rape. 20% of all dating couples report some sort of abuse in their relationship Remember: If someone loves you, they don't abuse you--physically or mentally. If you're in a an abusive relationship (and we know this is easier said than done) get counseling or get out! Tue, 16 May 2006 07:49:32 EDT http://www.daterindistress.com/relationships/online.html Online relationships can be a great start to something permanent. But, dogs, you have to be prepared for what online relationships offer. en-us Fri, 14 Apr 2006 07:52:05 EDT Fri, 14 Apr 2006 07:52:05 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.daterindistress.com/relationships/long-distance.html Long distance relationships can succeed as long as you have strong faith in them. en-us Tue, 16 May 2006 08:26:59 EDT Tue, 16 May 2006 08:26:59 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0