7 Things To Do When You Feel Like Your Consent Isn't Being Valued
byMeg Kehoe
You know what people don't talk about enough? Consent. As monumentally important as it is, it doesn't seem to get as much airtime as it should, be it in conversation, the media, or otherwise. Although you might preach the importance of "no means no," consent is much more than the decision of one person. Putting the responsibility of consent on one party can make a person feel like their consent isn't being valued. And what do you do when your consent isn't being valued?
Consent is about more than the words yes and no. It's about valuing what your partner wants and needs, and being able to openly express those wants and needs. Teaching consent is one of the most important things you can do for a person. When you learn the value of someone else's wants and needs, and you learn to respect them? You foster a greater sense of not only commitment, but trust, and love. If you're in a relationship where you're feeling like your consent isn't being valued, or that it's being downright ignored? It's time to speak up. Because if someone is disrespecting your wishes, they're disrespecting you. A relationship should be a partnership where you feel loved and comfortable, and without consent? It's just not possible.