What Makes an Adolescent Tick

Everyone knows that adolescence is a difficult period of human growth and development. It is when hormones are introduced that suddenly trigger a physiological change that prepares the child to be able to reproduce. In some societies or cultures, the ability to reproduce the mark as an individual as an adult. This is not the case in the United States, as adults are 18 years old. Since puberty usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 13, this leaves a period of 5-8 years where parents are still responsible for the emerging adults we label adolescents.

Start teenagers

Hormone changes make the adult body automatically and out of control. The first indication is that children are starting to grow taller. Since growth is physical activity, even though adults don't usually see it that way, tired teens craves sleep. The ironic part is that the body releases growth hormone during sleep, so the individual is chronically tired from growing. As parents know, tired children are very hesitant and difficult. So are teenagers.

The accompanying growth is a hallmark of secondary sex that we refer to as puberty. Women start menstruating, developing breasts and curved hips. Men experience physical arousal, thickening of the vocal cord and begin to grow facial hair.

For both men and women, this is a surprising and shameful change that every individual must balance with increasing school responsibilities. Students change teachers and no longer take responsibility for someone during school days. Teachers expect more free work and more work-ready responsibility. Longer assignments during the period actually cause difficulties for adolescents who are disturbed by the effects of hormones and their need for sleep.

Teenagers

Usually in the teenage years, full teens are swinging. They do not have the "social filter" appropriate to their thinking process; Comments often cause "illness" in the "social" mouth where relationships break out and they do not understand what causes the problem. General events cause emotional turmoil, often out of proportion and duration. Bracelet ball when everyone is giving directions or trying to be disciplined. A raised, swearing, and vicious voice interprets all "conversations" followed by destructive behavior, slamming doors or isolation in their bedrooms. Ask for permission to go somewhere or do something that usually ends up with "why not" or "others can do / go ..." arguments when parents tell them "no". Older adolescents, usually men, may face confrontation or physical challenges with the father figure.

Take care of Teenagers

Behavior and discipline management that works with children does not work with adolescents. Not just hormones and obvious physical changes. Adolescents are developing an adult mindset. Just as they discovered the fantasies of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and the Fairy Dental at the age of 6 to 8, teens realize that adults (especially their parents) are imperfect and don't know everything. Challenges that seem to be "why" or "why not" are actually trying to expose adult reasoning to them. Unfortunately, most parents respond as if their teenagers are challenging their authority, and the growing power of relationships does not benefit the individual or the family as a whole.

The best way to handle teens is to guide them through your reasons in any situation. Is it easy? Usually, but it takes time. Consider the time you spend with them as the time you spend teaching them the skills they need as adults. Adolescents are characterized by egocentric thoughts and behaviors (similar to infants and toddlers but in different ways). Adolescents usually do not understand the consequences and consequences of their actions. Parents are concerned about the safety and well-being of their children. Just because teens know where they are, their peers, and the environmental conditions that affect them all, the egocentric thinking process assumes that parents do too.

Teens need to learn to think from the perspective of others. They need to learn to look beyond the horizon and understand the limitations of time, effort and money. They need to learn that their beliefs are not compatible, that their safety can be easily compromised. They need to learn the process of step-by-step analysis to determine the causes and consequences of social relationships, especially when others have power and / or control.

Making decisions

Adolescence is a time when individuals want to flex their "adult" power by testing their decision-making skills. Unfortunately, school curricula do not deal with decision-making, and parents often do not know the need or how to teach them automatically. Decision-making begins by choosing from the available options. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to make their choices. Because each choice has consequences, many may not expect it, and the decision implies long-term planning that often escapes adolescent egocentric reasoning, decision-making and decision-making often results in frustration, failure and emotional response.

Parents need to start teaching their children how to make decisions by making them structured choices. From successful experiences, they can help their children understand the consequences of their actions and take the initiative to make simple decisions. Guidelines for teaching these skills can be found on the Module Parents page of Parents Teaching Kids.

What Makes an Adolescent Tick


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