Teenagers ‘test driving’ adult activities.
Most people agree that it is not easy being a teenager and most others will agree it is not always easy being around teenagers.
Something to remember however is the number of physical changes that teenagers are going through. From those Tween ages through to 20 years of age (some maybe earlier, some later and a few years difference between females and males) the hormones, physical growth and maturation, the changes in the brain are all quite significant. It is amazing to watch teenagers as they progress through these years and how these changes impact both positively and negatively on their behaviour.
So when we look at the teenagers of today, which can appear quite different to generations ago we need to look at the activities that they are doing. I don’t think it is healthy to compare the different generations as society has changed quite remarkably over the last 20-40 years. The activities of today’s adolescents are quite often still childlike in nature and quite adult in nature. It is the bridging of time and experience for the adolescent to become an adult. Therefore, we will see often quite childlike behaviour which is absolutely normal and we will see them pushing the boundaries and attempting quite adult type activities through a lot of trial and error.
For all those involved with teenagers whether it be parents, educators, grandparents, aunts, uncles, coaches, tutors, it very important to recognise all this particularly when dealing with the negative side of teenage years, once all of these things are considered it will quite often change the ‘reaction’ of the adult towards the teenager for an ‘error’ in activity which is usually an error in judgement or a pushing of a boundary. Remember all adults still make errors in judgement and lots of adults still push the boundaries.
The activities that teenagers are usually doing include:
- School/study
- Working Part-Time (paid employment, volunteer work)
- Sport
- Play (a lot of teenagers especially in the earlier years are still very playful in nature)
- Socialising
- Creating
- Sleeping
- Eating
- Learning to drive
Now, that’s a lot of activities, so again when considering how much changes for them on a physiological level and looking at how much they are participating in on an activity level it begs reason to why they need to eat and sleep so much. As their brains grow and grow at this time and their frontal lobe continues to develop sleeping is a way for the brain to consolidate what it is learning, remember the saying ‘neurones that fire together, wire together’. So the constant eating is only fuelling all of the above.
If we treat the adolescents in a respectful manner even when boundaries have been crossed and there are negative consequence they will be more likely to treat others with respect during both their adolescent years and adult years. If they are practising being adults then shouldn’t the adults they frequently encounter be setting the example of what expected behaviour should look like. Something to think about.
Have a great day
Bronwyn
There are some great books about raising teenagers, girls and boys it is well worth looking at these books. Click on the picture and you should be put through to Booktopia if you wish to purchase the book/s (if not please drop me a line so can make sure the links work. By using the link you are supporting Mastery of Doing as an affiliate of Booktopia).
Some Examples
Raising Boys
Growing Great Boys
The Making of Men
The Butterfly Effect
Raising Girls
Untangled
