The teen years are often difficult ones for teens and parents alike. Struggles for acceptance, the desire to feel a sense of belonging, and a period of physical, emotional and mental growth is often a roller coaster ride for both male and female teens. During these years, parents often brace themselves for conflict, and those that educate themselves on the reasons for such struggles are better prepared to guide their teen toward adulthood.
Independence
When kids reach their teen years, many feel a growing need to be independent and begin to pull away from their parents, both emotionally and mentally. Conflicts regarding dating, curfews and responsibilities often arise.
Peer Pressure
Most teens want to be accepted by their peers, and some resist appearing too much under their parents' control. Encouragement, teasing or scoffing by peers at school often tempt teens in such cases to engage in behaviors they wouldn't otherwise, such as smoking and drinking.
Power
Some teens resist any form of direction, instruction or discipline by their parents during this stage in their lives. They may ignore rules, boundaries and curfews. They may even talk back, argue or start challenging parents on rules and expectations, which often erupt into loud and drawn-out disagreements that can disrupt family peace in the home.
Communication
Parents may believe their teen is possessed, while a teen may feel as if there is no way their parents will ever understand them. Neither is true, but emotions run high during adolescence. Raging hormones are often to blame as well as teens' ability to make sense of the physical, emotional and mental changes they are going through. Teens may talk to parents about these feelings, but more often than not, they retreat behind a wall of angst that may seem impenetrable. Trust and respect go a long way to bridging gaps between teens and their parents. Parents who realize that their child is soon to be an adult may help smooth this transition as they balance between familiar comforts of childhood and stand on the brink of self-reliance and independence.
