Teenagers rebel for reasons. Rebellion is a statement being made against an authority figure obviously for a reason. It’s the reason that needs to be known for a solution to be found. Also, reasons need to be listened to since feelings, perspectives and having a voice are very important to the one doing the rebelling.
Teenagers need to know that parents trust and give them the benefit of the doubt to make responsible choices, decisions and to learn from their mistakes; and why wouldn’t we afford them that liberty? If we raised them with positive morals, principles; set positive examples and taught them how to be responsible and accountable, then at some point parents need to give them leeway to prove it.
All parents have ground rules they set down for children to follow; however, parents need to be conscious of the fact that teens change when they become teenagers; their thinking, perceptions and emotions change. Giving a teen more leeway shouldn’t be based on parent’s fears; but on providing good guidance and direction for teens when they fall short of making positive choices and decisions; those moments become teaching moments for greater growth and development.
Teens need constant love, guidance and direction. Rather than reprimand a teen when they rebel, it might be more applicable to discuss the problem and provide insight that the teen might not be aware of.
A reason why a teen might rebel and ignore parental authority might be because, they don’t logically understand nor have the awareness to see why it is that their actions are being scrutinized. Simply conveying to a teen that their actions went against parental authority isn’t sufficient; guiding teens to levels of awareness through discussion, inquiry and compromise assist the teen in seeing a situation from another perspective besides their own; making for a less rebellious teen.
When teens rebel, the awareness that parents are affected by their actions, doesn’t seem to be readily available in their minds view; thus discussing how a parent feels or is affected might prevent a teen from acting out contrary to a parent’s wishes based on understanding.
Teens are being prepared to live their own lives not the lives of the parents; thus providing teens with leeway and guidance and direction, might be a more viable approach over parental authority.
When teenagers feel that parents trust them to be responsible, trustworthy and accountable, parents are more inclined to be respected.
Teens feel they can be open and talk to parents about their problems when they feel they are trusted to try and make responsible choices and decisions. Teenagers look up to parents; they realize they aren’t adults and can appreciate coming to a parent and asking for guidance and direction when they need it. They understand that parents are the authority figure.
