Teenage Angst?

What causes teenage angst and how can we alleviate it?

Several things happen to us as we reach our teens. I guess we can all remember, to a certain extent, how it felt to suddenly start to question who we are, where why we think so differently to our parents, siblings, friends etc and how we would ever get through the day, never mind the next couple of years.

Pressures that teens experience include peer pressure to try the latest trend and become or remain part of the group, family pressure, to get good grades, choose a career path, help care for younger siblings or older relatives, maybe even contribute in some way to the family income or at least earn their own pocket money.

It's quite a list really isn't it? Is it any wonder that many teens find it difficult to sort out these priorities and live up to all of the different expectations of them?

Of course the majority of teens will rebel fairly quietly, or only within the confines of their own home, so that parents begin to feel as if they are going a little crazy when friends and other family members describe their difficult teen as being helpful, kind and considerate (ie the same as they were at home before the terrible teens hit).

Actually for me this is a good sign as it shows that your teen is confident to question you and test / assert their independence at home without them letting it too greatly affect their sense of who they are and where they fit into the rest of society. To me it can also mean that your teen is happy to live by your rules at core (automatically behaving socially in the company of others)and will hopefully then accept responsibility for any consequences arising from any of their own decisions to act in ways which go against your guidance.

Am I right or wrong? Please feel free to make a comment whether you agree or not. Discussion is learning and I am always open to the views of others.

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