Teenagers and parents sometimes have a difficult time communicating. A teen's behaviour and emotional reactions significantly alter as they grow from childhood to adolescence, which can make relationships with parents more challenging. To understand the communication challenges between parents and teenagers, we reached out to Dr Poonam Poonia, Senior Consultant, Clinical Psychologist, Cloudnine Hospital, Gurugram, who offered advice on how to get beyond them.
According to a 2021 study, adolescence marks a critical phase characterised by significant physical, cognitive, moral, and behavioural transformations. The family, being paramount in individual development, acts as the primary influencer during this stage. It shapes the initial environment impacting an individual, wherein parental communication and responsiveness play pivotal roles.
Communication Barriers Between Parents And Teenagers
Generational Gap
“Due to the generational gap, parents and teenagers frequently have distinct beliefs, worldviews, and cultural references. It may be difficult for parents to comprehend modern difficulties like social media dynamics, which can cause miscommunication and annoyance. Teens may believe that their parents are old-fashioned or disconnected from reality,” said Dr Poonia.
Awkwardness
When teenagers talk to their parents about their concerns, they frequently feel awkward. Here are some of its causes, as listed by Dr Poonia:
- The generational gap produces a divide in viewpoints, which causes teenagers to fear that their parents might not relate to their problems.
- Teenagers who fear being misinterpreted or chastised may find it difficult to communicate honestly.
- Emotional instability in adolescence can cause increased sensitivity and trouble expressing emotions.
- Parents' dismissive communication methods can scare teenagers away from expressing themselves freely.
Arguments
“Arguments between parents and teens are frequently caused by communication problems, differences in viewpoints, and emotional intensity. Teens' search for independence frequently results in conflicts with their parents' wishes to shield and mentor them,” highlighted Dr Poonia. Because parents see teen opposition as rebellion and teens see parental concern as control, this developmental search for autonomy can lead to misunderstandings.
Variations in Styles of Communication
Parents and teenagers frequently communicate in various ways. Parents may prefer more subtle and indirect tactics, whereas teenagers may favour more direct and frank expressions. Teenagers may feel confused, and parents may feel insulted as a result of this discrepancy.
Influence from peers and social pressures
Peers and cultural expectations have a big impact on teenagers, and they can occasionally clash with parental beliefs and guidelines. Teens may lie or withhold facts in response to this outside pressure to avoid confrontation or parental criticism, which can spoil open communication and trust.
Tips To Communicate With Teens
According to Psychology Research and Behaviour Management, effective communication between parents and adolescents fosters a positive family environment and enhances overall family functioning, potentially boosting adolescents' life satisfaction. Conversely, issues like reluctance to share personal feelings or avoiding certain topics can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts within the family, ultimately diminishing adolescents' life satisfaction.
Here are some tips shared by the expert to communicate effectively with the teens:
- Make sure you pay close attention to what your teenagers are saying.
- Make time for each other. Although teens are busy with their studies, friends, and extracurricular activities, you may still talk to them during dinner and breakfast.
- Teenagers need their place, so give them some privacy.
- Encourage them to solve problems. All young people need to feel special and included to have a strong sense of self-worth.
- Praise them if they are doing something good it will boost their self-esteem.
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by an expert and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to consult your own professional if you are dealing with any physical/mental health issues to avoid complications.]