Helping young people navigate relationships
4 minutes
Young people are learning about relationships all the time. From the people around them, their own experiences and the messages they encounter every day.
Many parents worry about how to start conversations about relationships or whether their young person even wants to talk about these topics at all.
Relationships are one of the topics young people most want guidance on. But research shows young people are often looking for something broader than one ‘big talk’. They want ongoing support to navigate relationships, communication, emotions, boundaries and everyday challenges.
Adolescence is a critical time for learning about relationships, boundaries, communication, respect and equality. The attitudes and beliefs young people develop during these years shape how they see themselves, treat others and navigate future relationships.
Positive relationship experiences help young people build confidence, form strong connections with others and develop a sense of belonging. They also help young people understand what is acceptable in relationships, recognise disrespect and control when it occurs, and develop the attitudes and skills that help prevent gender-based violence.
Research shows that one in three 18–19-year-olds has experienced intimate partner violence.
Young women experience gender-based violence at disproportionately high rates, with evidence showing that violence often begins during adolescence and early adulthood.
Find out more about the statistics and facts behind gender-based violence.
Young people are constantly exposed to messages about relationships, gender and what is expected of girls and boys.
Some of those messages come from trusted adults. Others come from friends, social media, online influencers, entertainment and pornography.
Some messages support equality and respect. Others can reinforce harmful ideas about relationships, power and gender.
Young people may encounter messages that:
Over time, repeated exposure to these messages can shape what young people expect from relationships and how they treat others.
The Line supports young people with questions about sex, dating and relationships.
Technology-facilitated abuse is increasingly common among young women. This can include behaviours such as online harassment, monitoring someone's location, repeated unwanted messaging, image-based abuse or using technology to control another person.
Almost three-quarters (74%) of women aged 18–24 report experiences of technology-facilitated abuse in their lifetime.
Parents and carers can help young people develop empathy, communication skills, respect for boundaries and a belief in equality. Prevention starts long before harm occurs.
You don't need special training or the perfect words. Small, everyday conversations can have a big impact.
Young people don't need parents and carers to have all the answers. They need trusted adults who are willing to listen and keep the conversation going.
Showing genuine interest in your young person's world can strengthen trust, keep conversations open and help them turn to you when they need support.
When young people feel heard, understood and valued, they are more likely to:
Learn about building connection and respect at home.
The attitudes young people develop about gender influence how they understand relationships, respect and power.
For example, the belief that boys should be in control, make the decisions or have the final say in relationships, while girls should put their partner's needs first, avoid conflict or feel responsible for keeping the relationship together.
These ideas can influence how young people think relationships should work and whose needs matter most.
When these expectations go unchallenged, young people may come to see unequal power and control as a normal part of relationships. This can reinforce attitudes that excuse or justify disrespect, controlling behaviour and gender-based violence.
You can help young people challenge these stereotypes and build:
Rigid gender stereotypes are one of the key drivers of gender-based violence. Helping young people challenge these ideas supports healthier relationships and helps prevent harmful attitudes and behaviours from taking hold.
Help boys question restrictive ideas about masculinity and develop healthier, more respectful ways of relating to others.
Practical advice for parents and carers to help young people understand respect, equality and healthy relationships.