Finding Good Influences for Your Troubled Teens

Finding Good Influences for Your Troubled Teens

The thought of struggling teens and peer pressure seems to go hand-in-hand. For parents, memories flash through their minds of their own experiences of dabbling with cigarettes, taking their first drink or possibly experimenting with drugs. While parents do everything they can to protect their children from negative influences, they might not consider how to counter the effects of peer pressure. However, you can find good influences that will help your troubled teen instead of leading him astray.

Science and Negative Peer Pressure

Because teens’ brains are still developing, they struggle with decision-making skills and often ignore the risks of an action and instead, focus on the immediate rewards. They have not fully learned to apply common sense when it comes to impulse control, resisting outside pressures and thinking ahead about the possible results of their behaviors. The gap between the thought processes in teens and adults especially shows up in social settings when peer pressure becomes a factor. For example, in one study, teens played video games by themselves or with friends observing. When their friends watched, the players took more than twice as many risks as they did if they played the game alone.

The Flip Side of Peer Pressure – Good Influences

On the other hand, peer pressure can benefit adolescents as well. For example, a teen might join band or an academic club simply because his friends encourage him to do so. He might work hard on his grades since his friends talk about college and how important it is. Science explains that teens can empower their own brain development by the decisions that they make and by trying new and positive behaviors. When good influences encourage them to learn new physical, academic or creative skills, they will challenge themselves and nurture their brain activity at the same time.

By following this train of thought, if you want to find good influences for your teen, look for activities that he might enjoy. As a parent, you likely have an idea of his leanings and possible interests. Ask the following questions:

  • Does he like academics?
  • Does he enjoy sports? Is he interested in team sports or fitness?
  • Is he creative? Would he rather be involved in art, music or drama?
  • What are his other interests? Does he enjoy gaming? Does he like chess or foreign languages? Is he interested in robotics?

By looking at what makes him tick, you can help him find a new outlet for his energies, one that he will enjoy. As he becomes involved with this activity, he will begin to connect with new friends, who will share those interests and hopefully be the good influences that he needs.

Request Free Admissions Information

Step 1 of 3 - Your Contact Info

Written by Natalie

7 Dec, 2015

Recent Posts

8 Signs of Depression in Teens

8 Signs of Depression in Teens

Has your teen’s behavior changed lately? Is your teen showing some signs of depression? It’s well-known that behavior changes can be possible during the teen years. Generally speaking, the symptoms of depression aren’t some of those expected behavior changes in teens....

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder

Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder

For parents who have been struggling with a challenging teen, it can sometimes be a relief to get a diagnosis for those struggles and challenges finally. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) may sound intimidating when you first get the diagnosis for your teen, but...

At What Age Should a Teen Date?

At What Age Should a Teen Date?

The word ‘dating’ sends parental anxiety skyrocketing when teens explore their newfound freedom and discover relationships. This topic can cause parents to explode and teens to rebel. Before the situation escalates, creating clear expectations and guidelines for...

Helping Your Teen Learn Manners

Helping Your Teen Learn Manners

The future of a friendly, considerate teen with good manners will benefit greatly from your efforts to teach them good manners. Teens who behave well are respected more, which helps them academically and socially. Most parents tell their kids to say "please" and...

The ADHD Diet for Teens

The ADHD Diet for Teens

ADHD is a challenging condition for anyone to live with. But children and teens with ADHA have a particularly challenging time managing their lives. Their brains are not fully developed and they don’t have basic life skills or the ability to work through difficult...

How Teachers Can Help Teens With Anxiety Attacks

How Teachers Can Help Teens With Anxiety Attacks

As a teacher, you always have the health and well-being of your students in mind. With the return to the classroom, you’ve likely seen a few changes in your students. Not only do teens have to face the usual things that school can bring with it, like lots of homework...

You May Also Like…

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *