What do today's teen really worry about? Do they worry about possessing material item, friends, dying, not being in control? Some parents may be surprised that teens today worry about anything. The fact is, more teens worry about and share their concerns regarding issues that many parents want them to be concerned about. Author and parenting specialist Vanessa Van Petten shares here child development expertise regarding teen issues and worries on topics that may surprise you.
What Do Teens Really Worry About: The Top 5 Issues Revealed
Teens love to talk: they love to talk online, on aim, on the phone, at school, after-school, at the mall, in the car, behind their friends back–what on earth are they talking about?…and why does sudden lock-jaw occur when parents are within a five foot radius.
As a 22 year-old, non-parent I often feel that many parents and therapists are off-base with what they think we worry about. Here are the top five issues that I believe teens worry about:
1) Relationships
Teens frequently want to talk to other teens about relationships with parents, siblings, friends and teachers. This is a broad topic I know, but interactions, building relationships and friendships are extremely important to teenagers.
2) Abuse
This includes sexual, physical, verbal and neglect as types of abuse. Many teens call in for 'friends' or people they know who are being abused to talk about what abuse actually means. Frequently, teens want to know where is the line between parents who are yelling and verbal abuse? What are the laws on spanking children?
3) Sex
Despite the attempts of many school health classes, teens have lots of questions about pregnancy, condoms, abstinence and oral sex.
4) Drugs and Alcohol
Issues with addiction and parties come up for teens when they know of friends who might be dealing or using drugs.
Teens love to talk: they love to talk online, on aim, on the phone, at school, after-school, at the mall, in the car, behind their friends back–what on earth are they talking about?…and why does sudden lock-jaw occur when parents are within a five foot radius.
As a 22 year-old, non-parent I often feel that many parents and therapists are off-base with what they think we worry about. Here are the top five issues that I believe teens worry about:
1) Relationships
Teens frequently want to talk to other teens about relationships with parents, siblings, friends and teachers. This is a broad topic I know, but interactions, building relationships and friendships are extremely important to teenagers.
2) Abuse
This includes sexual, physical, verbal and neglect as types of abuse. Many teens call in for 'friends' or people they know who are being abused to talk about what abuse actually means. Frequently, teens want to know where is the line between parents who are yelling and verbal abuse? What are the laws on spanking children?
3) Sex
Despite the attempts of many school health classes, teens have lots of questions about pregnancy, condoms, abstinence and oral sex.
4) Drugs and Alcohol
Issues with addiction and parties come up for teens when they know of friends who might be dealing or using drugs.
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