How Teens Become Responsible Adults
In this world of working parents and video games, in some families, teens can go through childhood and adolescence without a real sense of responsibility. They’re occupied, but not prepared for a successful life. Having responsibility for things that matter and that contribute to the welfare of others is part of a teen’s preparation for the future.
Responsibility can be defined as the ability to be answerable or acｃountable for something within one’s power, control or management.
He makes the point that in our society, adolescence is an artificial extension of childhood, which means the teen has too much idle time. On average, he says teens actually spend 70% of their time with peers and the media, making them the role models rather than their own parents or other healthy mentors in their lives.
So, how can a teen develop a sense of responsibility and the acｃountability to go with it?
I believe the potential for these things is built in, and is developed through modeling from parents and other role models. Parents can help the process when a child is growing up by first modeling tasks necessary for the family as a whole, and second watching how the teen takes to the tasks.
Parents don’t need to scream and yell to get them to comply... just model responsibility for them, and then watch them to identify ways to draw upon their natural skills when contributing to the family.
When a family volunteers together for the benefit of others, parents are modeling for their kids the responsibility they feel for their community, and the value of contributing to the welfare of others outside themselves.
There’s also a place for contributing to the family, too. Teens who help younger siblings with necessary chores such as lawn care or dishes, have the opportunity to model responsible behavior for their younger family members, while also contributing to the family as a whole.
It’s a way of life that’s introduced by his parents, but becomes a part of him. As he grows, he takes it into himself as his own.
From what I’ve seen in my practice, kids with this background have a better sense of direction as well. They know what they want and go after it with an intense level of confidence.
And along with acｃountability comes self-assurance. When he fulfills responsibilities entrusted to him, he gains a sense of empowerment. His self-esteem grows, his confidence grows and he knows within himself that he’s capable and learning more all the time. The praise he receives for his accomplishments is authentic, and he knows it’s real.
What’s most important is moving him from dependence to independence, as well as providing experiences where his efforts contribute to someone else, or the family as a whole, and then for those outside himself and his family. Eventually, he’s providing for his own needs, and recognizes the necessity of his own effort to make his way in the world.
Article Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/todd-kestin/how-teens-become-responsible-adults_b_5811766.html
Image Source: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/0c/70/47/0c70473e3e570eae8e5e6d0ac43b87d1.jpg
VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. Acｃountable (adj.) -Someone who is acｃountable is completely responsible for what they do and must be able to give a satisfactory reason for it
2. Adolescence (n) -a young person who is developing into an adult
3. Self-assurance (adj.) - having confidence in your own abilities
4. Authentic ( adj.) -If something is authentic, it is real, true, or what people say it is
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. According to the article, how do teens become responsible adults?
2. Are teens ready to be independent if they’re already an adult?
3. How did you change when you became a teenager?
