Toxic Relationships

Toxic relationships are something most people experience at least once in their lives. They are not always physically abusive, sometimes it’s as simple as childish arguments or manipulation. Regardless, often people don’t realize they’re in the situation until it has escalated, and things slowly get worse. A lot of the time, people are aware they deserve to be treated better but their love for that person overrides their judgment.  

Sometimes books and movies create the image that toxic relationships are okay and that you can make your partner change the behavior. While this may be true for some relationships, it doesn’t always happen this way. You see movies and books create the unrealistic idea that all toxic behavior is worth forgiving. The characters in these stories usually just forget it ever happened and move on with their lives. This can be unhealthy for people in real life because making them think that they deserve to be treated that way can cause severe damage.  

These forms of love stories displayed in movies or books also creates the expectation that for a guy to really like you he must be mean to you. It's the whole enemies to lover's trope that basically states that passionate love stories begin with rude and mean behavior. This then causes people to confuse disrespectful behavior for love. Then this also leads to manipulation and controlling acts by the partner because they think it’s acceptable.  

Everyone deserves to be treated with pure love and respect and staying in a toxic relationship is not the right move. Instead, there should be more productions and stories on people overcoming toxic relationships to help prove it is possible. These stories should end with the person finding new love where they are appreciated and cared for in a healthy manner. Overall, you have the power to leave, no one is worth tolerating if they only tear you down.