Page 7 - My FlipBook

What do you think? Do all of your peer relationships let
you be yourself?
I can say no.
It’s important to be able to say no if you’re uncomfortable
or need a change of scene. In a healthy relationship, you must
be able to say no without any of the following:
Being put down for it. In a healthy relationship, you can
say no without the other person making fun of you. A little
light joking happens, but it’s another thing if the person really
belittles you, makes ruthless fun of you, or talks about it with
other people. There is a difference between joking around
and cutting someone deeply so that they do whatever another

person says.
Pressure. In a healthy relationship, people don’t pressure
each other. If you say no, the other person should accept it.
Again, sometimes people joke around with light pressure, but
if someone seriously pressures you and won’t let up, this is an
unhealthy behavior.
Force. If you are forced to do something, it means that
you are left with no choice. If someone forces you to do some-
thing you don’t want to do, this is a very unhealthy behavior.
Fear of scary consequences. If you’re afraid to say no
because of the consequences, you might be in an unhealthy
relationship. For example, a friend in an unhealthy relation-
ship might say that she won’t be your friend anymore if you
don’t do something for her. Or he may threaten to spill your

deepest secrets, or he may become so overcome with anger or
depression that it’s not worth saying no.
Can you say no in all of your peer relationships?
I have fun.

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