Communication Styles
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Youth
Expressing your wants and needs and listening to understand what the other person wants or needs are important communications skills. Healthy communication can benefit your relationships with your family, friends and peers.
There are three different styles of communication: passive, aggressive and assertive. Passive communication is when people do not clearly express their feelings, thoughts or needs to others. Aggressive communication is when people forcefully express their feelings, thoughts or needs, but do not take into consideration what anyone else wants. This may lead them to bully others into doing what they want. Assertive communication is when a person clearly expresses their thoughts, feelings and needs and also takes the other person’s thoughts, feelings and needs into consideration. This is the healthiest form of communication.
Good communication is not only about expressing yourself but also actively listening and working to understand what the other person is saying. Learning and practicing these healthy communication skills will prepare you for the times when communication with someone is most important.
Parents
Relationships become increasingly important for young people as they develop from kids into young adults. It is developmentally appropriate for young people to seek more independence from their families and spend more time with their peers. They also might find that friendships change, with some becoming more intense and others potentially fizzing out. These changes can be stressful and confusing for young people. It’s important that they understand that these changes are normal and that communication can help them navigate changes in their relationships.
Communication is an important part of a healthy relationship. Parents and caregivers can help young people develop good communication skills by modeling effective communication, practicing healthy communication skills with young people and talking with them about how best to communicate honestly and respectfully. As young people’s relationships with friends and eventually romantic partners begin to evolve, it’s important that they learn and practice how to communicate with a partner about how they feel, what they need, what they believe and what they want in an open and honest way. It is equally important that young people learn how to listen and understand a friend or partner’s feelings, needs, beliefs and desires with the same respect they expect from them.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Effective communication is the foundation of healthy relationships, and your child is already learning and practicing these skills in friendships and will eventually use them in dating relationships. As a parent, being familiar with what healthy communication is and talking to your child about it can help your child feel more comfortable practicing good communication skills.
The easiest way to start conversations about communication is to talk about it as it comes up in everyday life, like while watching a show or movie together.
Here are some ways to start these conversations:
Educators
Relationships become increasingly important for young people as they develop from kids into young adults. It is developmentally appropriate for young people to seek more independence from their families and spend more time with their peers. They also might find that friendships change, with some becoming more intense and others potentially fizzing out. These changes can be stressful and confusing for young people. It’s important that they understand that these changes are normal and that communication can help them navigate changes in their relationships.
Communication is an important part of a healthy relationship. Educators can help young people develop good communication skills by modeling effective communication and talking with young people about how best to communicate honestly and respectfully. As young people’s relationships with friends and eventually romantic partners begin to evolve, it’s important that they learn and practice how to communicate with a partner about how they feel, what they need, what they believe and what they want in an open and honest way. It is equally important that young people learn how to listen and understand a friend or partner’s feelings, needs, beliefs and desires with the same respect they expect from them
International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education
Communication, Refusal and Negotiation Skills
Communication, Refusal and Negotiation Skills