divorce
A legal agreement to end a marriage.
nuclear family
A couple and their child or children living together in one household.
adoption
The legal process by which parents take another person's child into their family to be raised as their own.
single-parent family
A family in which only one parent lives with the child or children.
extended family
A group of close relatives living together or near each other.
blended family
Consists of a biological parent, a stepparent, and the children of one or both parents.
foster family
A family in which an adult or a couple cares for children whose biological parents are unable to care for them.
socialization
The process by which children are taught to behave in a way that is acceptable to family and society.
separation
An arrangement in which spouses live apart and try to work out their problems.
domestic abuse
The abuse of one spouse by the other
physical abuse
Intentionally causing physical harm to another person.
sexual abuse
A criminal offense involving the use of a child or adolescent for sexual purposes by an adult.
emotional abuse
The nonphysical mistreatment of a person.
neglect
The failure to provide for the basic needs of children.
runaway
A child who leaves home without permission and stays away for at least one night, or two nights for teens 15 and older.
empathy
The ability to understand another person's thoughts or feelings.
siblings
A brother or sister.
support group
A network of people who help each other cope with a particular problem.
communication
The process of sharing information, thoughts, or feelings.
I" message
A statement that expresses your feelings, but does not blame or judge the other person.
active listening
Focusing your full attention on what another person is saying and letting that person know you understand and care.
passive
A term that describes people who hold back their true feelings and go along with the other person.
aggressive
A term that describes people who express opinions and feelings in a way that may seem threatening or disrespectful to other people.
assertive
A term that describes people who are able to stand up for themselves while expressing their feelings in a way that does not threaten other people.
body language
The silent messages people communicate through posture, gestures, facial expressions, and body movements.
eye contact
Looking directly into another person's eyes; meeting another person's gaze.
cooperation
Working together toward a common goal.
compromise
The willingness of each person to give up something in order to reach agreement.
friendship
A relationship based on mutual trust, acceptance, and common interests or values.
gender roles
The behaviors and attitudes that are socially acceptable as either masculine or feminine.
clique
A narrow, exclusive group of people with similar backgrounds or interests.
peer pressure
The need to conform to the expectations of friends
infatuation
Feelings of intense attraction to another person
dating violence
A pattern of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse that occurs in a dating relationship.
date rape
A rape that occurs during a rape.
emotional intimacy
The openness, sharing, affection, and trust that can develop in a close relationship.
abstinence
The act of refraining from, or not having, sex.
Violence
is the threat of or actual use of physical force against oneself or another person.
Homicide
the intentional killing of one person by another.
Victim
the person who is attacked
Assailant
a person who attacks another person.
Territorial gang
groups that are organized to control specific neighborhood or turf.
Harassment
unwanted remarks or actions that cause a person emotional or physical harm.
Bullying
the use of threats or physical force to intimidate and control another person
Cyber bullying
Bullying that takes place by email, instant messaging, text messages or web sites.
Hazing
Is requiring a person to do degrading, risky, or illegal acts in order to join a group.
Sexual harassment
any uninvited and unwelcome sexual remark or sexual advance.
Hate violence
speech or behavior that is aimed at a person or group based on personal characteristics.
Prejudice
negative feelings about a group based on stereotypes.
Stereotype
an exaggerated belief or overgeneralization about an entire group of people based solely on their connection to a group.
Intolerance
a lack of acceptance of another person's opinions, beliefs, or actions.
Discrimination
the unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice.
Vandalism
Deliberate and pointless destruction of public or private property.
Escalate
Increase in extent or intensity.
Instigator
A person who initiates a course of action.
Mediation
The use of a third party, called a mediator, who encourages both sides in a dispute to continue negotiating and often makes suggestions for resolving the dispute.