The Pros and Cons of Boarding Schools

Parents with troubled teens, who are considering sending their children to Boarding Schools, need to research the pros and cons. With so many questions needing to be answered, it is imperative for parents to fully understand the benefits, as well as the negatives, of Boarding Schools, and to learn the strengths and weaknesses of each school they are considering.

The specific needs, issues, and concerns you have for your child should be given the highest priority, and the school you select should be well-experienced in those areas. The common belief has been that Boarding Schools can be excellent educational opportunities for youth, and that the school will mold them into proper, well-educated, and successful adults.

Boarding Schools offer both pros and cons

Parents make immense sacrifices to send their children to Boarding Schools, and many consider it a privilege to attend. The majority of parents who make this choice have the very best of intentions, however, when an adolescent is left on their own to be cared for by total strangers, it can be a frightening experience.

The trauma of being separated from home and family can be devastating, and the accompanying fears can often increase a child’s anxieties, or trigger depression × Depression
Depression /de·pres·sion/ Depression is defined as a mental condition characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection, typically also with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep. Statistics has shown that diagnosis of depression is growing at a very dangerous rate. Globally, depression affects over 350 million people of all ages. Depression has been linked to other negative health outcomes, such as obesity, heart disease, and stroke. Compared to those not affected by depression those who face it are more likely to be unemployed and have a higher chance of divorce. Most people that suffer from depression do not seek care or attention. Since this is a global issue, many efforts are made to help those who are suffering depression. It is important for those that face depression to find help so that they can overcome this plague that millions of people face.
and other emotional issues. And, although improvements to the these types of programs and care of the students have steadily increased, unfortunate events; such as bullying, sexual activity and substance abuse × Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse /sub.stance/ /a.buse/ Substance abuse is defined as the use of a chemical substance that has an effect on humans or animals improperly or in a negative view or purpose. Substances involve different types of drugs and also alcohol.  The misuse of a chemical substance can be very dangerous and can be the cause of many different types of problems such as impairment and also distress. Along with physical problems that can come from recurrent substance abuse, there are many  other problems that can occur.  A lack of interest in schooling and work can lead to failure fulfillment of roles and obligations in different settings of life.  Also, a poor performance in daily actions can be a cause. Substance abuse is a problem that is important to deal with in an appropriate manner.  There are many different programs that are available to help fix these types of problems to rehabilitate someone’s life. More information about substance abuse in the US The national institute on drug abuse characterize substance abuse as, "as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting and can lead to many harmful, often self-destructive, behaviors.' When pertaining to the adolescent brain and psyche, substance abuse and addiction is one of the most dangerous and common negative behaviors in troubled youth. Teenagers who participate in drug abuse are either not aware of the potential permanent damage they are causing themselves, or simply don't care. It is because of this reason that parents of substance abusing teens need to seek immediate treatment for their son or daughter. Fortunately for parents, there is a multitude and increasing number of options to choose from in terms of rehabilitation. Furthermore, parents of substance abusing teens need to seek treatment for their teens promptly.
can still occur.

A high percentage of students who attended Boarding Schools are frequently intelligent and motivated individuals, but have gotten temporarily sidetracked by negative peer groups or poor personal choices. The structure and discipline × Discipline
n.noun dis·ci·pline Discipline is one's ability to do the right thing, regardless of how they feel. Discipline is one of the most difficult things for a person to develop as it takes hard work, dedication, and can take years to achieve. Those who develop strong discipline tend to be more successful and happier than those who do not develop strong discipline. Troubled teens are notorious for their lack of discipline. In fact, their lack of discipline is likely the root cause of almost all of their issues. Furthermore, if troubled teens develop discipline, they will be able to overcome their shortcomings and change their live for the better. Parents of troubled teens who are in desperate need of discipline have many options to choose from. These options include, therapeutic boarding schools for troubled teens, group homes, residential treatment centers and even boot camps for troubled teens. However, boot camps are considered ineffective and a "quick fix" that yields no long lasting changes.
these schools provide can allow the student to get back on track.

Too often, troubled teens × Troubled Teens
Troubled Teens /trou.bled/ /teens/ n. Noun A troubled teen is defined as a person that is between the age 13-19 that is beset by problems or conflict. Every Teenager faces problems that they must encounter in their life.  Problems arise in every person’s life both big and small yet sometimes we allow even the most insignificant of problems affect our lives.  Sometimes with teenagers they allow trials in their life greatly affect them in negative ways.  Typically when a person (typically teenagers) face problems in their lives, the ability to cope with the problem does not exist.  When teenagers turn to other things to cope with the feelings of the problems that they usually face  things such as drugs and alcohol, pornography, criminal activity, etc. It is important to find help for troubled teens as soon as possible.  There are many different programs that are available to help troubled teens with the problems that they face each with a different approach and nature to the program.
need the help offered from Boarding Schools by providing a safe haven from an unhealthy home environment × Environment
n.noun en·vi·ron·ment The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines environment as the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. A person's environment, or social surroundings, have an enormous impact on the way that person thinks and operates. If a person is surrounded by negativity, he/she is more likely to replicate that negativity and display negative behaviors in other areas of life. The environment of a troubled teen can often be the root cause or factor in the troubled adolescent's negative behavior. When an impressionable teenage boy or girl is surrounded by negative peers, it is common for these teens to develop negative behaviors themselves. It is for this reason that parents should be aware of their child's social surroundings and environmental influences. If a teenage boy or girl is troubled, a total change in their environment may be in order. By replacing a troubled teen's negative environment with that of a therapeutic, nurturing and rehabilitative environment, troubled adolescents are able to emotional, therapeutic and behavioral restoration.
. For some who have suffered instability, neglect or abuse × Abuse
Abuse /a·buse/ Abuse is defined as the improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices: crimes or other types of aggression. Abuse is a negative and real threat that many people face. Child abuse is a problem that is continually occurring. The main types of child abuse are physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglecting. When these types of abuse occur in a home, they often go unnoticed. The stress and fear of the abuse will usually cause the victim to remain quite about the problem. It is a difficult problem to find out and assess, but there are solutions. It is important that people are aware of signs of abuse. They may include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, fear of going home, changes in eating and sleeping and lack of personal care or hygiene.
within the home, the opportunity to receive quality education, support × Support
Support / sup·port/ n. Noun Support is defined as the act or instance of supporting; serve as a foundation for something else. Support can be given to many different ways. Through the encouragement to perform and progress and also through being there for someone who needs help. Support is usually shown through family and peers but can come from anywhere from support centers, rehab centers, and treatment centers. Without a support, confidence would be very difficult to find. Support is key to getting through trials and problems. The ability to have someone that is supporting you and encouraging you to move forward and progress is important to growth and change. Especially with youth, that as they are trying to find out who they are that they feel supported in all of their doings. This is important because as support and encouragement is shown the youth feel confident to become the best they can be.
, therapeutic care, and guidance in life skills × life skills
noun the ability to cope with stresses and challenges of daily life, esp. skills in communication and literacy, decision-making, occupational requirements, problem-solving, time management and planning Many life skills are learned or obtained during the time of adolescence. Sometimes, for one reason or another, adolescents are ill prepared for life ahead of them due to their poor development of life skills. For these types of young men and women, life is a daily struggle as they fall farther behind due to their ignorance. Mental health, intelligence and social environments play a big role of the development of a person's life skills. If a person is struggling with a mental illness, they are less likely to develop necessary life skills than that of a fully functioning and mentally healthy adult. Troubled youth who fail to learn basic or necessary life skills can find vocational, therapeutic and life skill building essentials at any of the following troubled teen services: residential treatment facilities, wilderness therapy, therapeutic boarding schools, group homes for troubled teens, adventure therapy
in a Boarding School setting, is a welcomed privilege.

Boarding Schools can offer incredible benefits for a struggling teen, but it is imperative for parents and guardians to become fully informed and understand the pros and cons. Only then can you feel confident that you have made the right decision.