Why should I be in a relationship?

I'm a 17 year old guy and never had a personal relationship with a girl. My father was a drunk and a drug addict who abused my mother. My older brother was in a relationship with a girl who was very controling of him. Everytime I think of what should a relationship should be I think it's all bad. And everytime I think of myself in a relationship I end up thinking it's never going to work and I shouldn't even try.

To accept the premise of your question, one would have to believe all people are the same. They aren't.

Whether a relationship works or not is 100 percent dependent on the two people involved. It has nothing to do with anything that happened to other people unless one of you brings that baggage into the relationship with you. My advice would be to try to learn what makes good relationships work and what can be destructive. That understanding is what will control your success, not someone else's experience.

So much of what happens to you in life is what you believe or expect. Until you can change this negative expectation, you probably shouldn't try.

Sounds like you have fear of it.
Maybe you should give it time before you get into one.
Find yourself 1st and learn before you get into a relationship.
You do not have be like your father or whatever.
If you know it's wrong, also realize it. Redefine yourself, so you can date.
Good luck. Remember do not let "fear" stop you, because "fear" is only a trick of the mind. You can change all of that with praticem and be real. Be you! Good luck.

Your mother and brother made bad choices. You should not have to fear anything llike that becoming of you as long as you make sure that the person that you are in a relationship with isn't like your dad or your brothers girlfreind. Just be careful who you decide to be in a relationship with and make sure that you don't make the same mistake as your family. Make sure that you really like/love that person. If that person has problems, you can try to fix them. If it doesn't work, than there is nothing that you can do but get out.