5 Things You Need to Know About Teen Social Development

1. From Childhood to Adulthood

The teenage years are a time of transition. Teenagers are learning the skills necessary to lead a productive adult life while they still try to hold on to some of the childish ways of their youth. A major part of this transition from childhood to adulthood is the advancement of social skills. The social development that teens go through during these formative years can be difficult for parents to understand and uncomfortable for teens to deal with. Open communication between parents and teens can help to alleviate these problems.

2. Dealing With Teen Peer Pressure

Teens deal with peer pressure every day. Most of the time, peer pressure is thought of in a negative manner. This isn't always the case. Peer pressure is necessary to help teens learn to become independent thinkers. When a teen is dealing with peer pressure, it is important for parents to reinforce the family values while still allowing the teen to make his own decisions. Many teens still need some guidance from parents when they are making major life decisions. If this is the case with your teen, it is important to let him make his own decision while you help him consider all of the relevant facts.

3. The Importance of Individual Social Identity

Developing a unique social identity is part of teen social development. This social identity usually stays with the teen well into her adult life. A teen will express her identity through clothes, makeup, hair style, music preferences, friends and hobbies. As a parent, it is important to help your teen find ways to express her individuality appropriately. Some teens will want to get tattoos and body piercings. Consider these desires and weigh them against any negative thoughts that you have about them.

4. Discuss Teen Sexuality Openly and Honestly

As a teen makes his way through his teenage years, he will struggle with his sexuality. This is an important part of his social development. The decisions that a teen makes about his sexuality will range from his sexual preferences to deciding what qualities he desires in a partner. Talking honestly to your teen about sex is one of the only ways that a parent can help a teen to discover his sexual identity.

5. Encourage Self Esteem

In order to live a productive adult life, a teen must develop positive self esteem. A teen's self esteem fluctuates from day to day as she struggles to deal with the everyday changes in her life. Even simple things such as a pimple can affect her self esteem. It is important for parents to make sure that a teen's self esteem is positive but realistic. In order to set a good foundation for a teen's self esteem, a teen needs encouragement, constructive criticism and praise from her parents.