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Dating

Whether you call it dating or going out, and whether your relationship is face-to-face or online, there are some things that are important to remember about being in a dating relationship.

Dating provides an opportunity to get to know someone you feel attracted to on a more personal and potentially intimate level. Being in the relationship should be a positive experience for both people. The relationship is more likely to be enjoyable when it is a healthy relationship.

There are some key elements that will be present in a healthy relationship, including:

  • Open communication—being able to talk openly about problems with each other without shouting or yelling. You listen to one another, hear each other out, respect each other's opinions, and are willing to compromise.
  • Respect—valuing each other as you are. Culture, beliefs, opinions and boundaries are valued. You treat each other in a way that demonstrates the high esteem you hold for one another.
  • Trust—you both trust each other, and the trust has been earned.
  • Honesty—you are both honest with each other but can still choose to keep certain things private.
  • Equality—you make decisions together and you hold each other to the same standards.
  • Enjoy personal space—you both enjoy spending time apart and respect when one of you decides to have some time with other friends or just needs some time alone.
  • Make consensual sexual decisions—It is important before having sex that you both consent and can talk about what you agree to do and what you don’t want to do. It’s vital that you feel able to talk with your partner about safe sex, including contraception, sexually transmissible infections (STIs), and possible unplanned pregnancies.

Where to get support

Beyondblue Support Service

Kids Helpline

Lifeline

Find out more

Acknowledgments

This content was sourced primarily from the beyondblue and Kids Helpline websites (2014). Some changes have been made.

Last updated:
31 July 2023
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