Teens’ lives seem to change daily as they learn new things, seek out new experiences, and learn to find solutions to the various challenges they face in their teenage lives. This is the time when they experience growth and change, ie. mentally, emotionally and physically.
Navigating the life of a teenager:
As teenagers strive to define their place in the world, parents and caregivers must recognize their changing expectations and responsibilities. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Archika Sudhanshu, a spirituality and meditation guru, shared, “It is important to understand the expectations of teenagers. They long for independence, strive for the freedom to make their own decisions, which can lead to conflicts with parents who may feel the need to protect their children. They also crave acceptance, wanting to feel understood by peers and adults, which makes them sensitive to criticism and rejection, which can lead to low self-esteem. In addition, they often question their place in the world, searching for meaning, which can be found in exploring hobbies, volunteering, or academic interests to do something meaningful in life.”
To balance expectations and responsibilities, she suggested, “It’s important to maintain open and honest communication with your teen, allowing them to express their thoughts and feelings freely. Clearly setting out expectations for behaviour, performance and homework is also crucial, ensuring they are age-appropriate and reasonable. In addition, involving your teen in decision-making processes can help him feel responsible, boosting his confidence and self-esteem. After all, experiencing adolescence can be challenging for both parents and teens. By understanding their expectations and responsibilities, and by establishing open communication and clear expectations, parents can empower their teens to find meaningful purpose and become confident, responsible adults.”
Education in adolescence:
Vinu Varrier, Managing Partner and Founder, eduVelocity Global opined, “Navigating adolescence is often characterized as a rollercoaster ride as it can be both challenging and rewarding. Adolescents typically face a range of challenges that affect their physical, emotional and social lives and require impartial support to help them navigate the challenging early adulthood. As parents or primary caregivers, it’s important that teens see them as a safety net during stressful times. Adolescents experience changes in thinking, undergo hormonal surges that lead to occasional bouts of impulsivity, and experience extreme social obligations and peer pressure that force them to make rash decisions, resulting in negative effects on their psychological well-being.”
In order to effectively support teenagers, it is important to nurture strong and healthy relationships by providing a safe space for open, honest and unbiased communication. Vinoo Warrier said, “As a primary caregiver, one must establish rules and responsibilities in a democratic manner and not discount the opinions and feelings of teenagers in order to ensure mutual respect and harmony. Spending quality time, empathizing with teens’ problems and concerns, and helping them set realistic goals can often help them get through these years with ease. By regularly positively reinforcing responsible behavior, parents can help teenagers become capable and responsible adults.”
He added: “During adolescence, students face significant physical, emotional and social changes. To support them, life skills sessions can play a crucial role in equipping them with the necessary tools to overcome these challenges. By focusing on skills such as time management, self-regulation, and relationships, students can better cope with the demands of high school and beyond, including the transition to education abroad. These skills can help students develop resilience, confidence and a strong foundation for future success.”
