Skip to main content

Healthy Relationships (February)

CARE uses the month of February to focus on fostering healthy relationships, whether that is in the context of dating, or with friends, roommates, family members, classmates, etc. When we have a better understanding of what makes a relationship healthy, we can apply that knowledge and are more likely to recognize unhealthy characteristics if they begin to arise. 

  • College students face a myriad of complex challenges within their relationships, so it is important to look at relationships through the lens of being on a continuum or spectrum, rather than putting relationships in in green, yellow, or red. “Red flag culture” can over-pathologize normal conflict. Instead, CARE seeks to frame discussions around:  
  •  Communication 
  • Boundaries 
  • Reciprocity – Give and take 
  • Emotional safety 
  • Conflict repair 
  • Autonomy 

The goal is to assist students with distinguishing between ordinary imperfections and genuinely unhealthy dynamics.  

 

The continuum approach reflects the reality that: 

  • Some relationships contain warning signs without abuse 
  • Some become increasingly controlling over time 
  • Coercive control can emerge gradually 

One of the most valuable lessons is: 

Healthy relationships are not conflict-free; they are relationships where conflict can happen safely.  

That distinction helps students avoid:  

  • Idealizing perfection 
  • Minimizing harmful behavior 
  • Labeling every disagreement as “toxic.” 

CARE seeks to engage students in meaningful conversations around relationship dynamics and provide them with tools to navigate the complexities of maintaining healthy relationships. 

 Involvement  

  • Valentine’s Healthy Relationships Campaign: Students are given the chance to share words of affirmation and gratitude with other students who have positively impacted their experience at Purdue through: 
  • Following CARE on social media or checking out our calendar on our website to learn of our tabling locations in the first two weeks of February, and  
  • Stopping by a CARE table to fill out a card. 

If the student lives in University Residences or FSCL the card will be delivered to their residence. Off-campus students can hand deliver the card themselves or request for pick up at the CARE office.