What characterizes a healthy/normal relationship?

Please note that this is not a “yes” or “no” test. However, the following statements may help you understand the nature of the relationship.

A close relationship can be on a spectrum and be healthy, unhealthy, or abusive. Communication and boundaries are perhaps what needs to be looked at when assessing whether a relationship is healthy, unhealthy, or abusive.

Healthy relationships are characterized by both partners in the relationship:

• Can talk openly about their problems and thoughts and the other person listens. In conversations, respect is shown for the other person's opinions. It should be possible to disagree with opinions, but it is not necessary to make the other person understand why and/or to change their opinion.
• Respect your partner for who they are. Your partner should be respected unconditionally. Mutual respect is essential to maintaining a healthy relationship.
• Trust each other. What does “trust” mean? – Trust is an option that a person can choose to exercise. The definition of trust in this context can be believing that the other person is trustworthy and feeling mentally and physically safe around that person.
• Are honest with your partner. But of course, you can keep some things to yourself.
• Can spend time apart from each other, alone or with others. It is important to respect your partner's privacy.
• Have discussed and made a joint decision about sexual preference and whether it is time to have children. It should be natural to openly discuss what one wants and doesn't want in sex, and both parties should be comfortable with when, where, and how sex will take place.
• Have an equal say in how the finances are managed and both parties have an overview of the finances.
• Encourage and support each other.

This site strives to keep the text easy to read, which is why gender or sexuality is not always taken into account in the choice of words.