Today Hubbard House is recognizing healthy relationships by celebrating Women’s Equality Day! The day not only marks the passing of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, in the words of President Obama in last year’s proclamation, “It’s a day to celebrate the achievement of women and a recommitment to realizing gender equality.” In short, Women’s Equality Day is more than a day to celebrate women’s achievements in politics; it’s a day to acknowledge equality in all aspects of life, including relationships.
Standing on equal grounds is a strong base for having a healthy relationship. Unlike being in an abusive relationship, neither partner is dominant, controlling or aggressive. Conflict can be resolved through open and honest communication, trust allows for opinions to be voiced and heard, and decisions can be made by giving each person’s concerns equal weight.
So, here are the elements that make for a healthy relationship when the relationship is based on equality:
NEGOTIATION AND FAIRNESS
- Both partners seek mutually satisfying resolutions to problems. To accomplish this, both partners must be willing to accept change and to compromise.
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
- Money decisions are made together and both partners make sure each benefit from financial arrangements.
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY
- Both partners mutually agree on a fair distribution of work and family decisions are made together.
RESPONSIBLE PARENTING
- Parental responsibilities are shared and both are positive non-violent role models for their children.
HONESTY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
- Each partner takes responsibility for their actions, acknowledges past use of violence, admits to being wrong and communicates openly and truthfully.
TRUST AND SUPPORT
- Both partners are supported in their goals in life and there is a mutual respect for each other’s feelings, differing opinions, friends and activities.
RESPECT
- Both partners listen to each other without judgment, value each other’s opinions and are emotionally affirming.
NON-THREATENING BEHAVIOR
- Each partner should talk and behave in a way that allows for both to feel safe and comfortable when expressing their opinion.
Healthy relationships are equal relationships. So, celebrate this Women’s Equality Day by not only acknowledging the efforts of great women leaders, but by also acknowledging the ways equality builds strong and lasting relationships.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic/dating violence please call the Hubbard House 24-hour domestic violence hotline at (904) 354-3114 or (800) 500-1119. Hubbard House can help.
ABOUT HUBBARD HOUSE: Founded in 1976, Hubbard House is a certified, comprehensive domestic violence center providing programs and services to more than 5,000 women, children and men annually in Duval and Baker counties. While Hubbard House is most known for its emergency shelter, the agency also provides extensive adult and youth outreach services, school-based education, therapeutic child care, batterers’ intervention programs, court advocacy and volunteer and community education opportunities. Visit www.hubbardhouse.org to learn more.