Relationships are a normal part of society that many aspire to be in. However, the normalcy of relationships can lead to toxicity in some adolescents.

Teenagers in all places have different types of relationships with different people, including friendly, familial, or romantic relationships. While relationships aren’t one size fits all, toxicity doesn’t discriminate. 

A common issue that troubled relationships have is insecurity; it manifests itself in different ways. One way this appears is the need to know where the partner is at all times. This is a form of control, and a main characteristic of a toxic relationship according to The Gottman Institute.

Another way insecurity can be displayed is when an accomplishment is shared and instantly minimized. Dr. Kimberly Moffit stated in her blog, kmatherapy, “When you share an exciting goal or dream with them, it’s only ever met with skepticism, doubt, or a condescending ‘wow’.” Constantly being degraded in a relationship can leave someone with a fragmented sense of self-worth.

The over-surveillance of a partner may be mistaken for love and attentiveness, according to the Peterson and Schriever Space Force Base. 

When questioned about the capability of surveillance in a relationship, Brandee Bergen, counselor, said, “There are many opportunities for surveillance in a relationship such as social media. This gives an opportunity for abusive behaviors such as stalking to take place.” There are multiple pathways to virulence in a relationship, and it’s good to recognize what those are.

With teens connecting with a plethora of different people as they move through life, it is important to navigate through these relationships healthily. It’s important that toxicity is recognized during adolescence before it gets more serious later in life.