Conflict Between Parents and Adolescents, Essay Example

Adolescence is a stage whereby young teenagers are going through a phase of self discovery.  This is the time when many young people develop new ideas, values and beliefs and strive towards becoming more independent.  it is a period of self discovery with many young people trying to under to gain a deeper understanding of who they are and at the same time trying to fit in a society with specific rules and ways of doing things.  They are faced with “creating a completely new self image that is autonomous of their parents and other people in the family.”(Riesch, 2000).  Not only do they have to contend with the rising ability to rationalize as adults, they are also faced with the emotional challenges brought about by hormonal and physical changes in their bodies. With this of growing environment, conflicts with parents are inevitable.

Research studies done among families with adolescents children indicate that conflicts are very pervasive in those families. Most of these conflicts generate a lot of emotions, hostility and aggressiveness within  the families (Riesch, 2000).  On average, a typical young teen and the parent quarrel twice a week (p. 157). Nevertheless, studies have also shown that most conflicts tend to decrease overtime and are not as frequent as in early adolescence. Additional studies have shown that most parents and teens conflict over everyday mundane matter like chores and dressing styles as opposed to more substantive concerns like sex or drugs. Therefore, it is a fact that conflicts are normal occurrences in families with adolescents and parents should learn to cope with their growing children.

Several strategies have been suggested to reduce conflicts between parents and adolescent children.  One important solution is improving communication by adapting more positive communication strategies and avoiding negative communication. Generally, parents should listen more to their children and speak less. They also need to spend more time with their children by being interested in their daily activities, both at home and at school.  This will enable them to get more opportunities to interact and understand each other.  Negative communication should be avoided at all costs. Parents should therefore avoid nagging, criticizing their children harshly and other extreme actions like yelling because this will only make the teens feel angry, rejected or even unloved.  Parents are also advised to gradual reduce the control they have towards their children to enable the children become more autonomous and develop an independent character.

Reference

Riesch, S. et al (2000) Topics of conflict between parents and young adolescents. Journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses, 2(4), 154-161