Power in Relationships

What Gives People Power?

Everyone has power In some ways.

With power comes the responsibility to use the power in ways that show

respect and concern for others.

Power in Relationships

Arrangements for balancing power can be formal and written down, for example: the Australian Constitution anti-discrimination laws school rules and teachers' code of conduct.

Power in Relationships

Informal and not written down, for example: friends work out how

decisions are made and how conflicts are resolved

family members take on different roles and responsibilities.

Power in Relationships

• People are more at risk of being emotionally and physically hurt when they have relatively little power in a situation.

Power in Relationships

• Balancing power helps to build healthy, fair relationships between individuals.

People make choices about using the power they have

• PositivePositive use of power involves acting or influencing others in ways which show respect for yourself and for others. It also involves protecting your own and others rights to safety.

• AbuseAbuse of power occurs when people do not respect the rights of others or themselves