#44. Friendship and Consent

This Conversation Will Help You…

1. Understand that consent isn’t necessarily just about sex
2. Be able to ask for consent from friends
3. Be aware that people have different comfort levels with physical touch
4. Understand that asking for consent from friends is good practice for relationships

Think About This First

• This conversation can be a good way to talk about consent in a different way. Discussing consent among friends or friendships can be a less loaded or stressful way to bring up the topic of consent.

Having the Conversation

Start here:

I know consent is usually brought up in regards to sex, but what are some other situations in which consent is important? What about when you’re with your friends?  

What if you wanted to hug a friend - how could you ask for consent in that situation?

What are ways you could make sure that’s okay?

Continue:

What if a friend usually wants a hug but then had a really bad day?

What would make it important to ask for consent? Why?

Do you have friends who are more touchy-feely than you are?

Do you have friends who hate getting hugs? Different people have different boundaries and comfort levels, which you know.

Keep Talking:  

Do you think that having a good practice of asking for consent with friends would help someone ask for consent in a relationship?

Why would that be beneficial?

What do you think would be helpful about it?

What is an appropriate way to ask for consent from a friend?