The adolescent period is a time of speedy growth and change in physically, mentally and socially. Some teenagers face numerous challenges and such changes can be frightening, while others take it in their stride. As teens begin to assert their freedom, some common behaviour problems arise. While misbehaviour like deceitful, replying back and lying may not seem like much to handle, they can intensify quickly by aiding trouble in teen behaviours like drug use or open disobedience and violence leaving teen out of control and parents find themselves helpless.
For teens, parents divorcing, a death in the family and the birth of a sibling are triggers for misbehaviour. Some children suffer from emotional and behavioural disorders that require professional treatment. These children display a range of behavioural, emotional and social disabilities that often manifest in poor performance at school and ultimately, frequent interactions with law enforcement.
Mental health specialists diagnose behavioural disorders of teens after performing standardized tests, referring to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder and gathering information on the child’s behavioural history from family, teachers and others.
It is well established that Adolescence is a time for developing liberation. Characteristically, teenagers exercise their independence by questioning and sometimes breaking rules. Parents and doctors must differentiate occasional errors of judgment from a degree of misbehaviour that requires professional intervention. The severity and frequency of infractions are guides. For example, regular drinking, frequent episodes of fighting, truancy, and theft are much more significant than isolated episodes of the same activities. Warning signs of extreme behaviour problem include deterioration of performance at school and running away from home. Adolescents also cause serious injury or use a weapon in a fight. This is serious concern.
Children infrequently engage in physical confrontation. During adolescence, the frequency and brutality of violent interactions may increase. Although episodes of violence at school are highly exposed, adolescents are much more likely to be involved in violent episodes at home and outside of school. Many factors contribute to an increased risk of violence for adolescents, including:
I. Gang membership
II. Access to firearms
III.Substance use
IV. Poverty
In research studies, there is little evidence for relationship between violence and genetic defects or chromosomal abnormalities.
Because adolescents are more independent and moveable as compared to previous stage of life, they are often out of the direct physical control of adults. In these situations, teenagers set their own moral and behavioural code. Parents need to guide rather than directly control the adolescents' actions. Adolescents who feel warmth and support from their parents are less likely to engage in risky behaviours. Also, adolescents whose parents convey clear expectations regarding their children’s behaviour and show consistent limit setting and monitoring are less likely to engage in risky behaviours. Authoritative parenting is a parenting style in which children participate in establishing family expectations and rules. This parenting style, as opposed to harsh or permissive parenting, is most likely to promote mature behaviours. Authoritative parenting normally uses a system of graduated privileges, in which adolescents initially are given small responsibility and freedom (such as caring for a pet, doing household tasks, picking out clothing, or decorating their room). If teenagers handle this responsibility well over a period of time, more responsibilities and more privileges (such as going out with friends without parents, and driving) are granted. By contrast, poor judgment or lack of responsibility leads to loss of privileges. Each new privilege requires close watching by parents to make sure adolescents obey with the agreed-upon rules.
It is observed that some parents and their adolescents clash over almost everything. In these situations, the core issue is really control. Teenagers want to feel in control of their life, and parents want adolescents to know the parents still make the rules. In these situations, everyone may benefit from the parents picking their battles and focusing their efforts on the adolescents’ actions.
Nurturing a teenager is a very puzzling work, and when it comes to the age of 13-16, kids seem to be more violent. All parents face problems with their children, and they should understand that most of these problems appear because of emotional state and changes their teenager is going through. There are some possible solutions for teenage behaviour problems.
Disrespectful or rude behaviour in teenagers is very common. Although this phase will pass eventually, there are some approaches that can help parents to handle disrespect from their child. To tackle teen’s disrespectful behaviour, it is essential to set clear rules about behaviour and communication. Parents must focus on their child’s behaviour. It is suggested to avoid any comments about their child’s personality or character. Parents can set and use consequences, but try not to set too many. At times, it might be appropriate to use consequences for behaviours such as rudeness, swearing or name-calling.
Youngsters, whose behaviour is dangerous or otherwise intolerable despite their parents' best efforts, may need professional intervention. Substance use is a common trigger of behavioural problems. This disorders require specific treatment. Behavioural problems of teens also may be due to learning disabilities, depression, or other mental health disorders. Such disorders usually require immediate counselling and mental health disorders often also require treatment with drugs. If parents are not able to limit an adolescent’s risky behaviour, they may request help from the court system and be assigned to a probation officer who can help enforce reasonable household rules.
If parents have high expectations from the teens, they might feel pressurized. It is advised to parents that they should not force the children to get the best grades in school. The children should do well in studies and other activities like music, sports, dance, etc. If the child spends time for some activities, he would be relaxed and perform well.
The emotional health of the child can get troubled due to the hormonal changes in the body. Therefore it is normal if the child shouts or yells. But if it happens every now and then, it should be taken care of. To overcome behaviour problem, it is necessary to continue communication with teens. The child should be able to talk to parents and discuss about all the topics.
Presently, many adolescents have problems and are getting into trouble. There are a lot of pressures for them to deal with among friends and family. For some youth, pressures include poverty, violence, parental problems, and gangs. Teens may also be concerned about significant issues such as religion, gender roles, values, or ethnicity. Some children are having difficulty dealing with past shocks they have experienced, like abuse.
It is not advised to impose anything on teens. Discuss the important aspects and set the rules with the child. Set the limits and consequences for the child. It is not recommended to punish the teenagers does not work in all the cases. Parents must explore some other ways to motivate their child who is entering in teenage. A single trick cannot work for all the children.
Teens should be provided with healthy and nutritious meals. Make the child get proper rest and sleep. Parents must appreciate the child when he behaves in a good manner with them or family members. Small rewards may also be given.
Sometimes, teen aggression can turn into violence. If they lash out at parents, or someone or something else, put safety first. To curb aggressive behaviour, it is significant to tell teenager that violence is unacceptable in family. Parents need to talk to their school and find out if their aggressive behaviour is happening there as well. Some schools offer counselling. If teen admits he has a problem and is willing to get help, then book appointment with a counsellor or psychologist as soon as possible.
It is the responsibility of parent to educate the child about oral and personal hygiene, social activities, evils, bad habits and others. Parents must teach them how to make goals and achieve them. Parents must not give mental pressures to their child. Counselling help can be taken in several cases. Parents can talk to a professional or read books to manage their teenage child.
According to psychologists, Teenagers are at high risk for the development of problem behaviours that are distressing and socially troublesome. Some problem behaviours, such as having multiple sex partners, can result in problems for the individual, and other problems, such as stealing or using weapons, can have dangerous consequences. Thus, problem behaviours in youths can have serious concerns for the adolescents, their family and friends, their schools, and society. Child and adolescent health practitioners frequently report that problem behaviours are the most common. Nurses, often with great access to adolescents and their parents through school settings, primary health care offices, and public health departments are well placed to assess, educate, and intervene with adolescents, school personnel and parents.
It is said that though Teenage is the best period in development life cycle. It brings with it a cheer, passion, fun and excitement but at the same time, phase comes with a lot of challenges too. It is well understood that parenting a teenager is a tough task, but when teen is violent, depressed, abusing alcohol or drugs, or engaged in other irresponsible behaviours, it may seem irresistible. Therefore careful and effective approach and good counselling is imperative for personality enhancement of teens.
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