Social Impact & Volunteering

Mary Kay and LoveIsRespect: Healthy Relationships 101

Aug 27, 2014 7:35 PM ET
Campaign: A Commitment to Ending Domestic Violence

Beauty That Counts

Whether you are a student or just enjoying the excitement in the air from the back to school buzz, there is something about this time of year that inspires new learning. I think we are all forever students in life and I'd like to share with you a little Healthy Relationship 101 to help you think about your relationships in a new way or impart some of your knowledge on your family and friends. To do this, I consulted with my friends at loveisrespect.

At Mary Kay, we believe that everyone deserves to be in a safe and healthy relationship and the company has a long-standing commitment to ending domestic violence. It's part of our Don't Look Away campaign.

Here are the ABCs of today's Healthy Relationships 101: 

A - Abuse

  • Abuse can come in many forms. 1 in 3 young people will experience abuse in a dating relationship. This includes verbal, sexual, digital and emotional abuse. One of the most important things you can do for yourself is know the early warning signs of abuse.

B - Boundaries

  • Having healthy boundaries can help keep your relationship secure. Set boundaries together. You and your partner shouldn't feel trapped or that there's a lack of trust. Express your feelings so that you both can feel comfortable.

C - Communication

  • Talk about what you both want and expect out of the relationship. A relationship based on mutual respect and open communication will go so much farther than one rooted in power, control and mistrust. And if you have questions and think that you or a friend might be in an unhealthy relationship, send the text "loveis" to 22522. Mary Kay is the lead sponsor of the text for help program that is available 24/7 to help answer your questions.

For more information please visit marykay.com/dontlookaway or loveirespect.org. 

How do you talk to the people in your life about healthy relationships?

 

Last year at Mary Kay's Fall College Tour students pledged to "Don't Look Away" from abuse.

Today's blog post is from Kirsten Gappelberg who has what she considers to be her dream job. As Mary Kay's Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Kirsten builds programs to support the company's charitable efforts to transform, inspire and empower women's lives around the world.