Teenage Problems & Issues
Think back to your teenage years. Remember how you thought, felt and acted during the transitional period between childhood and adult life. Teenage years are full of change as adolescents undergo physical changes, experience strong emotions, become aware of their sexuality, focus on their peers and begin defining their future life and identity. Understanding common teenage difficulties enables parents to help their children pass through this stage and make it a positive experience.
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Peer Pressure
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Teenagers are increasingly aware of their individual and group identity. They select their friends carefully, identify themselves with their peer group and try to fit in. They may change their appearance, activities, speech and behavior based on the expectations of their group. This can lead them to go against their personal morals or family values. Parents should help their teenagers strengthen their personal identity and understand the importance of the personal values. This helps the adolescents grow in their self-confidence and maintain their self-identity, even when it conflicts with their peers.
Image
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Due to puberty and an increasing awareness of identity, teenagers struggle with self-image. They want to appear a certain way in public, even if they are different in private. This affects what they wear, where they go and things they buy. Excessive changes in this area can lead to fights with parents and financial problems if teenagers go in debt to uphold their image. Some teens also face serious medical problems from eating disorders that stem from their determination to uphold their image. Parents and mentors can help teenagers avoid these problems by teaching them that image means more than appearance and giving positive feedback and support when the teens develop a healthy self-image.
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Parents
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Adolescents' desire to establish their own identity, maintain a popular image and fit in with their friends often distances them from their parents and other authority figures. They try to establish their independence by making choices that their parents do not support. Parents can maintain a positive relationship with their teenage children by setting clear guidelines about behavior and values and granting autonomy in other matters.
Relationships
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As teens undergo physical changes and become conscious of their sexuality, their attraction to the opposite sex increases, and they start having dating relationships. This can lead to emotional ups and downs based on how they perceive the relationships. Sometimes the increased physical attraction leads teens to experiment with sexual intimacy, which can result in unexpected pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases. Teenagers usually are not financially or emotionally prepared for the consequences of their actions. Parents and mentors should educate teenagers about their sexuality and potential consequences of their actions, empowering them to make responsible decisions.
Substance Abuse
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Many teenagers try drugs and alcohol out of curiosity, peer pressure or rebellion. If they get too involved, they risk addiction, health problems and self-harm. Many teens who use drugs also associate with gangs and become victims or perpetrators of violence. Parents should help teens to avoid these problems by planning, for example, after-school activities.
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