The age between 10 and 19 years is an exciting transition from childhood to adulthood. This period of adolescence is where more than one billion people around the world are enjoying, spending a lot of time with friends and exploring new experiences. While most adolescents are healthy, many are suffering from the effects of drug and alcohol abuse, obesity, sexually transmitted disease and violence. Adolescence problems are now becoming more common, and these can affect these young people’s ability to grow and develop into healthy adults with full potential for a bright future. Here are 11 most common adolescent problems.
11 Adolescence Problems
Make Up Lies
Lying is one of the most common adolescence problems that baffle parents. Many teens make up lies simply because they want to keep their privacy and do not want to reveal information, which they feel is personal. As a parent, you must give them a little space and recognize some boundaries which will help them feel that their privacy is respected. Another reason for lying is to avoid confrontation or punishment. However, other teens just lie for no apparent reason, and they are more likely in need of professional help.
Yield to Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is another one of problems of adolescence that parents often worry about, especially when it involves risky behaviors such as smoking, stealing, using drugs or drinking alcohol. As a parent, you can help your child develop the strength to do what he thinks is right, and not to succumb to what is acceptable to friends. Praise your child whenever he does something good so that he will have confidence to stand up on his own and do what is right.
Become Argumentative
Teens often experience moodiness and tend to be argumentative, owing to normal hormonal changes and typical challenges during this stage. The worst way to deal with this is to argue with them in loud voices, which can disrupt the peace in your home. To avoid this kind of behavior, try to reason with them calmly by using "I" instead of "you" statements. Try to be more approachable and take time with them to analyze issues, rather than argue with them.
Care About Physical Appearance
One of the typical adolescence problems parents have is a teenager' attitude towards grooming and physical appearance. Some teens experience an awkward stage, when they would rather be comfortable rather than stylish or neat, while others have a totally different kind of style that most parents would disapprove of at once. Before you criticize them, remember that they are probably just expressing their need to be independent. So, instead of imposing your own style on them, allow them to become more responsible in their choices and just guide them along the way.
Mess Up Their Rooms
Problems of adolescence include lack of tidiness, especially with their own rooms and closets. Arguments over this issue are often tiresome and useless. Teens often want to have a sense of control over their own space, so it may be more helpful to ask them how you can help them improve their rooms. Although adolescents should be responsible for keeping their own rooms tidy, all children must cooperate in keeping the rest of the house in order.
Rebel Against Authority Figures
The tendency for some teens to rebel against authority is explained by the Father of Psychology, Sigmund Freud, as the result of their fixation at the anal stage, when their personality starts to develop. According to his hypothesis, a mother who imposes strictness during the stage of toilet training can lead to a child' rebelliousness. On the other hand, if a mother is pleasant and understanding during this stage, the child will grow up to be a more productive and psychologically healthy individual.
Feel Depressed
Depression is not just an adult problem, but it is also one of the common adolescent problems. Unlike sadness, which is a common experience to all, feelings of despair, hopelessness and emptiness can interfere with a teenager' daily activities. But the most serious risk of an adolescent who is depressed is suicide. Parents must be able to detect that if their child has symptoms that can lead to this dangerous event. Although parents can try to help their teenager deal with deep sadness, they must also know when professional help is needed to avoid serious consequences.
Get Pregnant
Pregnant teenagers are more likely to experience complications and death during pregnancy and childbirth than adults. Many countries now advocate teaching adolescents about reproductive health to reduce teenage pregnancy and abortion rates. Government laws that set a minimum age requirement for marriage at 18 years can also help reduce teenage pregnancy rates. To lower complications and deaths during pregnancy, teenage mothers must have access to better prenatal health care.
Get HIV Infection
The worst adolescence problem the world is currently facing is the rise in HIV infection and death rates among teens. Although most of the children affected are those in African regions who were born with the disease, there has also been an increase in the numbers of teens infected due to unhealthy sexual behaviors. Health experts advocate teaching young adolescents more about how to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and providing better access to counseling and HIV testing.
Abuse Alcohol & Drugs
Drug abuse and excessive alcohol consumption are among the problems of adolescence encountered in many countries. These practices also increase their risk for loss of self-control and unhealthy behaviors that could lead to violence, road accidents, unsafe sex and premature deaths. Aside from government laws that regulate the use of alcohol and drugs among teenagers, parents must also warn their children about the dangers of using these substances.
Lack Proper Nutrition and Exercise
Malnutrition and obesity are growing problems of adolescence, which are often due to poor eating habits and lack of physical activity. Parents need to make sure that their children get the right amount of nutrients and exercise they need in order to develop into healthy adults. They must be taught to consume a variety of nutritious foods, avoid foods that are high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, and engage in regular physical activity.
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