Adolescent boys often struggle to find their place among peers and family members. At times they may want to be treated like a child while at other times they long to be viewed as an adult. Building a strong sense of self can enable young boys to increase their self-confidence so they can be comfortable being who they are. Outside activities can teach adolescent boys to master new skills and reach their goals so they are able to improve their own self-image.
Organized Sports
According to Meg Meeker, author of Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons, adolescent boys should be given plenty of opportunities to play sports, such as soccer or football, with other boys their age. Many boys are naturally competitive and enjoy a chance to see if they can win at a sport that they enjoy watching and playing. Getting the chance to learn what winning feels like can be a powerful motivator for boys. It can result in an increase in self-esteem as boys realize they have the potential to be good at a sport. Sports also highlight a boy's weakness so he can focus on improving his game, which will result in a healthy boost in self-esteem as well.
Obstacle Courses
Obstacle courses require concentration and the formation of specific skills to successfully make one's way through, reports Karyn Wellhousen, author of Outdoor Play, Every Day: Innovative Play Concepts for Early Childhood. Obstacle courses can be created according to the age and skill level of adolescent boys. Use a local playground or gather a variety of sports equipment and create your own. Set up cones for weaving in and out of or put some old tires on the ground and have the boys jump through them. As boys learn how to navigate the obstacle course their self-esteem will increase because they will learn to master new skills that result in a new sense of pride. A related activity is to have two adolescent boys complete the obstacle course as a team to show each young boy that he has value and importance.
Solo Sports
According to Wellhousen, adolescent boys can experience a decrease in self-esteem if they are forced to participate in a team sport that they do not enjoy or that they are not good at. Outside solo sports are an alternate way to help boys master new skills that can translate to a boost in self-esteem. Skiing, outdoor cycling, swimming or running are all activities that adolescent boys can do on their own without the fear of being judged or teased by others. Older adolescent boys may enjoy solo sports, such as archery, snorkeling or skateboarding as well. As they build endurance, boys can begin to realize how capable they are and what they are able to do with enough motivation. This realization has a powerful influence on self-esteem, reports Wellhousen.
References
- "Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons"; Meg Meeker; 2009
- "Outdoor Play, Every Day: Innovative Play Concepts for Early Childhood"; Karyn Wellhousen; 2002
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