Why is understanding loyalty important for our young people and their relationships? Loyalty is one of those qualities that we want from others, but many times are willing to overlook and make excuses for not getting. In the end though, if we are in a relationship where the other person does not stand up for us, is not honest with us, puts us down or talks about us in a derogatory way behind our backs – we cannot be complete or fulfilled in that relationship. It simply is not healthy.
As I thought about loyalty in the family, it has become clear that when we meet someone who is willing to do any of those things just mentioned to family members, eventually when they are comfortable with us, they will most likely treat and talk to us the same way. Do we really want to be in that kind of relationship?
I asked each of our teen students to look and listen to the way their friends – especially girl & boy friends – talk about their siblings, parents and others close to them. If they are disrespectful of them, not loyal to them – you can expect the same treatment later in your relationship. You need to choose if this is the kind of person you want to spend time with. We need to even ask – Is this a safe and healthy relationship?
Balanced Life Skills is helping our students understand loyalty and opening the conversation for parents to have with their children on this key life skill.