Healthy Relationships Assignment: Enough
1) Slim is faced with a variety of stressors in the movie. Identify an example of each of the following stressors and explain (4 marks)
Physical Stressor:
An example of a physical stressor for Slim is her lack of sleep due to the unpredictable and frightening behavior of Mitch. The physical toll of being constantly on edge and living in fear can lead to exhaustion and a compromised immune system, affecting her overall health.
Social Stressor:
A social stressor for Slim is the isolation she experiences due to Mitch's controlling behavior. Mitch attempts to alienate her from her friends and family, which adds to her feelings of loneliness and helplessness. This lack of social support exacerbates her stress.
Emotional Stressor:
An emotional stressor is the manipulation Slim faces from Mitch, which causes her to feel unworthy, anxious, and fearful. Mitch uses emotional abuse tactics, such as gaslighting, to make her doubt her perceptions and feelings, leading to emotional turmoil.
Environmental Stressor:
An environmental stressor is the overall abusive atmosphere that surrounds Slim in her home with Mitch. The constant threat of violence and the reality of living with an abuser create an unstable and hostile environment, contributing to her stress.
2) Focusing on the characteristics of an abusive relationship, explain how Mitch is abusive to Slim. Provide specific examples from the movie. (4 marks)
Mitch exhibits several characteristics of an abusive relationship, including physical abuse, emotional manipulation, and control. For instance, he physically assaults Slim when he becomes enraged, demonstrating a clear disregard for her safety. Additionally, Mitch uses emotional manipulation to undermine Slim’s confidence; he often belittles her achievements and makes her feel guilty for wanting independence. This control extends to her social life, as he isolates her from friends and family, making it difficult for her to seek help or support. He consistently uses threats to establish dominance, such as threatening to harm those Slim loves if she doesn’t comply with his wishes.
3) Provide a specific example from the movie of each type of abuse. (2 marks)
Physical Abuse:
An example of physical abuse is when Mitch hits Slim during a heated argument, which clearly illustrates his willingness to use violence to exert control over her.
Emotional/Psychological Abuse:
An example of emotional abuse occurs when Mitch tells Slim that she will never find anyone who loves her as much as he does, instilling fear and doubt about her self-worth and ability to leave him.
4) What factors kept Slim from leaving Mitch at the first signs of abuse? (3 marks)
Several factors contributed to Slim staying with Mitch despite the abuse. One significant factor is her feelings of fear; she is afraid of what Mitch might do if she tries to leave. Additionally, Slim struggles with low self-esteem and a belief that she cannot survive without Mitch, making it challenging for her to envision a life apart from him. Lastly, the psychological manipulation, including gaslighting, makes it difficult for her to recognize the abuse for what it is, creating a sense of dependency on Mitch that is hard to break.
5) We learned about 5 qualities of a healthy relationship in health class. List and explain which of these are missing from Slim and Mitch’s relationship and explain which of them are present in her relationship with Joe. (7 marks)
| List the Quality | Does she have this with Mitch? Explain | Does she have this with Joe? Explain | |----------------------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | Honesty | No, Mitch is deceitful; he lies about his controlling behavior and manipulates Slim’s feelings. | Yes, with Joe, Slim experiences honesty, as he openly communicates his feelings and intentions. | | Trust | No, Slim cannot trust Mitch due to his abusive behavior and the unpredictability of his actions. | Yes, she enjoys a trusting relationship with Joe, who supports her decisions and respects her autonomy. | | Respect | No, Mitch does not respect Slim’s boundaries; he frequently dismisses her opinions and feelings. | Yes, Joe respects Slim, as he values her choices and treats her as an equal partner. | | Safety | No, Slim does not feel safe with Mitch, who physically abuses her and creates a constant atmosphere of fear. | Yes, Slim feels safe with Joe, who protects her and encourages her to be herself without threats. | | Acceptance | No, Mitch does not accept Slim’s individuality; he tries to mold her into what he desires. | Yes, with Joe, Slim experiences acceptance; he embraces her past and supports her decision to reclaim her life. |
This framework highlights the stark contrast between the unhealthy dynamics in Slim and Mitch’s relationship and the supportive, healthy characteristics of Slim's relationship with Joe.
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