Parenting a teen comes with a great challenge because this is the stage where they start to develop their own identity. This is the time when they prepare themselves as an individual capable of thinking and deciding on their own. Sad but true, this is the reason why teenagers argue with their parents and they start keeping distance.
According to a post from The New York Times, this is something that parents should not worry about too much, in fact, this is sometimes positive because it's a sign that their children are going through a mental development stage. This also strengthens the relationship between the parents and the child.
Experts have seen four distinct styles on how teenagers approach an argument. They either choose to attack, withdraw, comply and solve the argument. This study published in ResearchGate has explained that those teenagers who chose to engage or withdraw from the argument are likely to be depressed, delinquent or anxious.
In contrast to those teens who chose the first and second approach, the teenagers who comply with their parent's requests are likely to have the same problems with their social life like the relationship with friends or other people and even their love life.
While those teenagers who chose to end the argument by resolving it are the ones who will likely build good relationships with other people like friends, family and in their love life. So how will you redirect your child to be someone who resolves arguments with parents?
As explained in the same report, the adolescence stage is the time when their brains are rapidly developing and they are learning on how to see things in different perspectives. When you reach an argument with your teen, don't just give a vague answer or response.
As suggested, always provide a reason why or why not for them to have the chance to think about your perspective about an argument. This is the positive way of dealing with your teen to help them learn on how to handle and resolve arguments at home.
