In America, the society runs on what teenagers want. From Nicki Minaj to the junior section at Sears, most of what the people see, hear, or touch is aimed at the teenagers. Being an adolescent is probably the most exciting and most popular time period in a person’s life. The teens seem to have it all, but what about the parents who raise them? The parents of the teenagers never get any credit during this time period, although they have every right to. Parents and teenagers should strive for a strong, lasting relationship for these years, though most times there isn’t one. The relationship between teenagers and parents is the most vital bond in the family because this relationship should and will prepare them for the next step in life. 1) A Changing Time Developmental effects are what make a teen a teen. At the beginning of adolescence, a teenager undergoes many changes in their life physically. In fact, sources have said that teens change faster than any other age range (Lindsay 22). They will “shoot up in their height” (Fenwick 15). A girl will start growing around the age of nine and ten and reach full maturity about age 16, while guys start at roughly twelve and reach full maturity around age eighteen. Teen weight fluctuates often as well. It might even double between the ages of ten and eighteen (Fenwick 16). For guys, this weight is mainly muscle but for girls, the weight is both muscle and fat (Fenwick 17). These changes do not always happen at the same time for everybody. The earlier developers are normally smarter than the standard and delayed developers. Also, they are taller than their friends, which for guys will make them popular but it will make girls feel like they don’t belong, and develop bad posture as a resul... ... middle of paper ... ...lth. August 2009. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. Mannheim, Jennifer K. Adolescent Development. N.p. 1997-2011. Web. 27 Jan. 2012 Piotrowski, Nancy A. Magill’s Encyclopedia of Social Science: Psychology. Volume 3. Hackensack, NJ: Salem Press, 2003. Print. Sallee, Heidi M. “A Parent’s Guide to Surviving the Teen Years.” KidsHealth.n.p. Web. 29 Jan.2012. Sheeber, Lisa B. et al. “Adolescent’s Relationships with Depressive Disorder and Subdiagnostic Symptomatology.” Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 116.1 (Feb 2007): 144-54. Web. 28 Jan. 2012. -01891-014> Smith, Anita B. The Communication Gap. The Institute for Youth Development. 2004. Web. 2 Feb. 2012 < http://www,youthdevelopment.org/articles/fp059901.htm>
Workers who work with adolescents and, especially, parents would enjoy this book since it would bring understanding and the reader could personally relate to the author. As the author evidently strives to effectively raise adults, parents likewise strive. In this endeavor, since this book provided a history of the adolescent’s culture, the current state of the adolescent’s culture, relational qualities to implement while approaching teenagers, and how to practical respond to teenagers’ issues. Overall, this is a beneficial
Young, P. (1991). “Families with adolescents,” in F. Brown (Ed.), Reweaving the Family Tapestry, (New York: Norton), pp. 131-148.
7). During puberty, adolescents will begin to have an increase in sex drive and sexual activity. They will begin to look at the opposite sex differently. Unfortunately most adolescents are not ready to deal with feelings of sexual interest, so they will react in awkward ways. Adolescents will tease one another about the opposite sex or make up stories about the opposite sex. Until they can understand and be comfortable with these new found feelings, they may have a difficult time talking to the opposite sex. Puberty also causes changes the adolescent’s self-image which will affect how the adolescent behaves. Self-image is dependent upon what changes may take place. Some adolescents begin to feel more mature and will seek out more independence. The final change during puberty is in the adolescents’ appearance which can change how others react to the teenager. An adolescent with acne, a high voice, or breast formation will appear different from their peers. This difference may lead to being made fun of, being ignored, or getting extra
In this current generation, relationships between parents and their children are undoubtedly strained. It is obvious as many artists today continue to come out with songs detailing their broken relationships with their families; also, it is even more apparent as shown on television in shows such as Teen Mom and Intervention. Rearing a child without excessive techniques, can be beneficial to both parent and child as little rebellion will most likely occur. The most crucial points to avoid this would be the alteration of the way parents view many teenagers today, education and friendship.
According to Stephanie Coontz relationships between parents and teenagers have become more troubled because society is failing to prepare young people for the demands of today's adulthood. Young people suffer from "rolelessness" as a result of the historical extend of adolescence, with puberty coming earlier and full adulthood coming later. The problem with rolelessness has become harder for the newer generations in my opinion, kids nowadays need that role model/mother-father figure because they are easily influenced by their surroundings. Rolelessness has become a risk among the young.
Theses quotes might be said once or many times in one’s teen life. Complaining about parents is one of the conversation topics among the peers. Sometimes teens feel like adults do not aware of their opinions anymore. Moreover, arguments among the family could ruin the relationship if members do not know how to deal with it. I learned how to solve problems through these conflicts and became more mature.
One stage of adolescent development that my teen went through was puberty. Puberty is different for girls and boys and is manifested differently as they go through many physical and cognitive changes. As I was raising my teen daughter I noticed that the changes in her body during puberty played a role in the way she viewed herself. By age 11 she became more interested in her appearance as a result of some compliments from some boys in her school. She started to wear makeup to school every day and became more interested in buying new clothes and shoes. As pu...
The authors approach their subject in a sympathetic and sensitive manner in an effort to ameliorate typical parent/teen confrontations. Sections intended for teen readers are highlighted in blue and written in a conversational style where the author is talking to the teen reader. Numerous quotes from other teens are interspersed within these sections to give the material a very user-friendly feel. Parents will find these sections very useful in that they provide a supportive and understanding perspective. They give teens a chance to step into the shoes of their parents and ponder their situation within a wide range of potential parental concerns.
PARENTS' DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN ADOLESCENTS' PEER RELATIONSHIPS. One of the ways in which parents play a critical role in their sons' and daughters' social development is by encouraging their interactions with other youth; in this way parents provide opportunities for girls and boys to develop social cognitive and relationship formation skills (Ladd, Profilet, & Hart, 1992). According to the model of parenting processes proposed by Parke and colleagues, parental influences on girls' and boys' peer relationships operate through two pathways: indirect socialization and direct involvement (Parke & Buriel, 1998). Models of indirect socialization, such as attachment and social learning perspectives, suggest that parents influence their children's peer interactions indirectly, through the more general influence of parent-child relationship experiences on children's social development and peer competence (e.g., Elicker, Englund, & Sroufe, 1992; MacDonald & Parke, 1984).
"October Sky" by Joe Johnston and "Every Day Use" by Alice Walker's stories deal with parents and kids relationships. John Hickam and a middle-aged woman are parents who find themselves choosing between both of their kids. Dee and Jim are the strongest kids of the family who've followed their parents' expectations. Homer and Maggie are very different from their brother and sister. They have very different goals compare to their brothers and sisters. As consequence their relationship with their parents experience obstacles and conflicts. As readers we capture the distinctions that this parents have between their kids. They treat them differently. The theme that stands the most is based on the relationship between parents and children. John and Walker have learned to accept their kids and the differences that create a different out come from the begging of the story until the end. Hickam and Walker faced conflicts and gained their parents respects by changing their static relationship into dynamic acceptance between them. Homer devotion to rockets and differences between his brothers does not follow his dad's expectations creating conflicts between them and static their relationship as father and son. In "October Sky", the story takes place at a West Virginia mining town during the 1950's. People could only survive working in coalmines. John is a mine superintendent and fully expects Homer to follow his footsteps. He demonstrates to him how much he wants him to become a coal minter and says " homer I was born for this, and I shouldn't be surprise you were to." This creates conflict with his dream of becoming a Rocket Scientists. By winning the science project he would be able to gain a scholarship and becoming a rocket scientist. He...
First I’m going to talk about how this lie affects relationships between adults and teenagers. Here’s the problem; adults don’t expect enough out of teenagers today. When I was doing research for this speech, I came across the website parentingteens.com. This website popped up first on Google, so it must by good. Right? WRONG! I went to the “setting up expectations” section by author, Denise Witmer. The list of expectations is pathetic! For pre and young teens, the expectations are making your bed everyday, being able to take a phone message, and cleaning your room once a week with help from Mom and Dad. (parentingteens.com) There is a warning at the top of this list saying that these expectations might be overwhelming and too much for your teen, so just pick one to start with! The li...
Adolescence is a period in an individual’s life where their hormones start changing; they go through puberty, and they are no longer a child but an adult. This can be a very confusing and stressful process. Thus, making the relationship between parent and child an important factor in whether the child will develop a depressive disorder and have complications in their adolescence period. A parent can be an extensive influencer in the child’s transition, especially when it comes to them developing a MDD (major depressive disorder). Not only this but the child can also develop a drinking problem, have multiple sex partners, have a low or high self-esteem, influence the way they perceive themselves, and their self development.
To be a teenager is to be in a time of fluctuation and more often than not in western society, a time of rebellion. There are certain rituals that take place during the teens such as socializing with friends in a place other than school, more responsibilities around the house and less juvenile relationships with members of the opposite sex. Biologically teenagers change dramatically, with girls usually starting their periods and maturing into a phase where their bodies get ready to have children whereas boys develop facial hair, their voices deepen and other matters. They also become more aware of themselves sexually and it is this period in which most people are experimental with their sexuality as well as drugs and their own personal style.
Depending on the respective culture, the life of a teenager can vary greatly. Certain cultures demand more from their teenagers in terms of family obligations than do other cultures. For example, the typical social life of a teenager whose heritage is tied to Northern Albania demands that the teenager honor his or her family’s wishes above all else.
While most parents realize there are normal struggles between parents and teens as their sons and daughters struggle for independence and identity, they are often shocked by the length and intensity of the conflict. They are stunned by apparent rejection of some of their most sacred values and confused by their teenagers "acting up" and "acting out." In attempting to become psychologically independent of their parents, teens often attempt to move completely away from any control or influence by their parents.