A recent trip to Chicago with four teenage girls reminded me once again why I don’t teach high schoolers. This particular trip was to celebrate my daughter’s 16th birthday. Instead of the traditional “sweet 16” bash, she opted for a trip on the train with her friends to see Rihanna in concert.
Prior to the trip, my daughter asked whether or not I would be staying in the hotel while she and her friends went to the concert. With a quizzical look on my face, (the look you give when someone has obviously lost their mind) I of course responded with a definitive “No.” Four teenage girls roaming around alone in a strange city was not about to happen on my watch. Can you believe she formed her lips to ask such a question?
But when you take into consideration the adolescent brain, you are not shocked at some of their behavior and thought processes. In my daughter’s mind, it seemed reasonable for her to wander about Chicago without adult supervision. But at 16, she does not have the wealth of life experiences to help her see the dangers encamped about her.
Adolescence is defined as “the period following the onset of puberty during which a young person develops from a child into an adult.” Teenagers during this time are experiencing changes in how they look, interact with others, think and how they feel. This is also a time of increased independence, which is often a source of conflict with parents.
If you are like me and find yourself at times bewildered by this strange teenaged creature living in your home, these tips found on cdc.gov regarding adolescents may be of benefit to you:
Pay attention to behavior changes
Today’s social scene is very stressful to most teens. They are obsessed with how many likes they received on social media and the need to feel popular and accepted. Parents must therefore be observant for signs of withdrawal or other behavior changes. In 2013, about 11 percent of 12-17 year olds had a major depressive episode during that past year.
Reinforce safety rules
Per the CDC, almost 250,000 teens between the ages of 16-19 were treated in the emergency department as a result of a motor vehicle crash and over 2,000 teens died. Therefore, teens who want to drive should know that seat belts are not optional! Furthermore, reducing distractions from cell phone usage is also highly recommended.
Discuss risky behaviors
Today’s teens seem leap years advanced in some ways as compared to previous generations. Information is at their fingertips including exposure to topics or activities that you secretly wish they had not encountered. So with that in mind, parents cannot shy away from the difficult discussions about sex (and all kinds of sex including oral), drugs, and alcohol. My mother’s “just don’t do it talk” was inadequate in the 1980’s as well as in 2016. Teens need upfront dialogue regarding these topics, not sugar-coated responses.
Although teens long for privacy and independence, they still need adult guidance and reassurance of constant love and support. Lastly, parents can always utilize the CDC website and the American Academy of Pediatrics for information on teen development.
Your family doctor,
Denise Hooks-Anderson, M.D.
Assistant Professor
SLUCare Family Medicine
yourhealthmatters@stlamerican.com
