What Problems Are Teenage Girls Facing?
The teenage years are often the toughest years in a girl's life. Her hormones are in overdrive and her body is rapidly changing into that of a young lady. The transition into adulthood can be a difficult time for a teen girl and there are many issues that she'll have to confront along the way.
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Body Image
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Body image is an issue that almost all teenage girls will confront at some stage; they become increasingly self-conscious about the way they look. As puberty hits, teen girls may put on a few extra pounds, tempting them to go on fad diets to lose weight. If you're the parent or caregiver of a teenage girl, steer her towards healthier options, such as joining a sports club to keep fit, or helping her to make healthy food choices without the need for excessive dieting.
Menstruation
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Most girls get their period by the time they reach adolescence. This can be a stressful and confusing time in a girl's life and she may feel anxious about the changes going on in her body. It's important to talk to her about what to expect and how to cope with things such as mood swings and cramps. Let her know that what she's experiencing is due to hormonal changes in her body, and that it's perfectly normal.
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Peer Pressure
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Peer pressure is a significant issue faced by girls in their teenage years. They may fall in with the wrong crowd and be pressured to experiment with drugs and alcohol, break the law, or do other harmful activities. Talk to your teenage daughter about how important it is for her to make her own choices and to not let her peers make decisions for her. Teach her how to have the confidence and self-respect to say "No."
Sex
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It's inevitable that as your daughter grows up and reaches her teen years, she's going to start thinking about sex. This is normal; however, she may be under the impression that all teens are sexually active, and this may make her struggle with her own choice. Talk to your teenage daughter about the emotional and physical consequences that go hand-in-hand with sex, and let her know that you're there if she ever has any questions or concerns that she wants to discuss.
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References
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