Family and Relationships

Relationship formation is particularly vital for adolescents’ development as they learn to navigate friendships and romantic relationships. Relationships with parents and siblings may also show strain during this time as they seek greater autonomy and independence. Because adolescents are in the process of learning, they typically have not developed the necessary skills to cultivate and maintain healthy relationships like most adults have. Due to their developmental status, assessing relationships as healthy or unhealthy can be a difficult task.

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Teen Voices: Friendships and Boundaries

Common Sense Education

In this video, you can listen to other teens' thoughts and feelings about having and maintaining friendships in the digital age.

Sidney

Student Advisor

"This quick video shows teens discussing how social media can lead to broken boundaries, and some methods they use to keep healthy friendships!"

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Billie Eilish On Mental Health & Friendship

Ad Council

Billie Eilish opens up about her personal connection to mental health

Elsie

Student Advisor

"I'm so glad that Billie Eilish is speaking about mental health and showing us all that even celebs have their struggles. In this great interview, she notes the importance of being there for people (and people being there for you!)."

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6 Truths About Teens and Dating
Verywell Family
What does teen dating look like today? It's fine to feel hesitant or even fearful of our children dating. We worry that they may get hurt or heartbroken and we watch as they gain more independence. However, it is perfectly natural and important for healthy emotional development.
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Billie Eilish On Mental Health & Friendship
Ad Council
Billie Eilish opens up about her personal connection to mental health
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Bisexual Women in Relationships with Men
Franki Cookney, Cosmopolitan
We all know sexuality is about attraction and desire, not about what you’ve done and with whom, but that doesn’t mean it always plays out like that IRL.
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Coming Out as Bi in a Straight Relationship
Amanda Kohr, Vice
Coming out—or simply recognizing burgeoning queer feelings—doesn't invalidate the love you have for the person you're with.
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Eleanor and Park
Rainbow Powell
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits-smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.
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Turtles All the Way Down
John Green
Aza Holmes never intended to pursue the disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate.
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Stephen Chbosky
Read the cult-favorite coming of age story that takes a sometimes heartbreaking, often hysterical, and always honest look at high school in all its glory.
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Liza Koshy on Opening Up  Friendship & Mental Health
Ad Council
Liza Koshy talks about social anxiety, mental health, and friendship.
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Q&A for Healthy Relationship
goaskalice.columbia.edu
Teens ask questions about sensitive topics regarding relationships.
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Same-Sex Couples: How to Strengthen Your Relationship
Vivian Todini, Onelove
There is a fallacy that somehow LGBTQ+ relationships are different than straight relationships.
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Teen Voices: Friendships and Boundaries
Common Sense Education
In this video, you can listen to other teens' thoughts and feelings about having and maintaining friendships in the digital age.
Watch Video