The recent George Zimmerman trial (wherein a young black man was killed) has focused heavily on the issue of race. One issue in cases like these that hasn’t been considered is whether adults, particularly older adults, have a fear of teenagers. Teenagers are people just like anyone else, but the generational gap between adults and teenagers can breed much misunderstanding. Mt. Pleasant Academy is a residential treatment center for troubled boys in need. If you are interested in learning more, please call us today at 866-439-8110.
Adults And The Fear of Teenagers
Many adults, even parents, reach a point where they are so far removed from the lives of teenagers that they just don’t understand them on a real, personal level anymore. This is especially true for parents with troubled teens who are engaged in negative behaviors. Troubled teenagers that are violent can cause many problems for families, and parents often don’t know how to handle such students. When it comes down to it, parents are the authority figures of the household, so how does a parent get to the point where they are crippled by fear of their own children?
Society tells parents to do their best to protect their children from harm. This concept, taken to an extreme, can mean that parents may be afraid to discipline their kids for fear of harming them. These parents love and care for their kids desperately, but are afraid to administer the chastening that they need. Therapeutic programs can help with these issues, but helping students succeed and overcome their negative behaviors starts in the home. It’s never easy to provide your student with the discipline necessary. Each teenager needs to be dealt with on a personal level, and many times, just by letting them know that you are there for them can be very useful.
