How to Raise Teenage Sons

Raising emotionally secure teenage boys requires patience.

Raising children can be one of life's greatest challenges and greatest joys. Boys require unique care in understanding the physical, social and emotional changes they face in their teenage years. Cultural pressures regarding masculinity can be a strong force in determining behavior. You can have a greater influence in your sons' happiness by facilitating an environment of trust and respect. Such an environment is essential to creating a peaceful household and a strong emotional bond between family members.

Instructions

1. Introduce strong male role models into your household. A father figure can give your sons an opportunity to learn interpersonal communication techniques from older males. Mentoring or tutoring programs are great ways to introduce male role models if family members or friends are unavailable.

2. Participate in activities with your sons that they choose and are interested in. Your showing interest in your children's personal likes and dislikes builds bonds of trust and acceptance. These bonds create a comfortable environment for them to express their thoughts and feelings.

3. Invite your sons' friends to participate in activities in order get to know the external influences in your children's life. Be aware of peer pressure and your sons' friends' thoughts and interests to better understand your sons' environment outside the home.

4. Celebrate your sons' accomplishments by rewarding good behavior. Congratulating your sons on their accomplishments can help to build self-esteem and self-confidence in your sons.

5. Talk to your sons about sex, drugs and alcohol while avoiding a lecturing or overbearing tone. A casual and free-flowing discussion helps to make your sons feel comfortable in discussing the topics. Be sure to remind your children that you will always be there for them if they ever need guidance.

6. Make your expectations of their behavior clear. Clear, consistent, and concrete expectations can help to bring structure to your household environment.

7. Respect your sons' internal life and natural rebellion by reflecting on your own teenage years. Teenagers face many common physical, social and academic pressures; reflecting on your own wants and needs as a teenager will help to bring some of their behavior into perspective.

References

• ParentingTeensOnline: Raising Teen Sons: Helping Your Son Through the Challenges of Becoming a Man
• Parenting My Teen: Raising a Teenage Son in Today's World

Resources

• PBS Parents: Understanding and Raising Boys