All About Teens! Behaviour, Tips, Help

What is a Teenager 

A teenager is a person whose age is between 13 to 19 years old. This phase is known as Adolescence. This is the time teenagers usually become rebellious. It is a part of human development for finding one’s own identity independent of their parents. During adolescence, teenagers start to understand complex problems and have a higher grasping power, develop relationships, they start to question their old values and become more mature and start to develop goals.

The different types of development we see in teenagers are:

1. Physical development 

This stage is also called puberty.  This is when teenagers start to develop secondary sexual characters.

In girls, we see the development of breast buds start to develop as early as 8 years. Breast fully develop between12 to 18 years. Pubic hair, armpit, and leg hair start to grow between 9 to 10 years. Menarche occurs about 2 years after pubic hair and early breast appear. It may occur as early as 9 years or as late as 16 years. By 18 the growth spurt stops in girls unless there are some medical conditions. They start to develop weight in their breasts and hips.

In males, boys start to notice their testicles and scrotum grow as early as 9. By 18 years their penis is usually in adult size ad shape. Pubic hair, armpits, leg hair, chest hair, and facial hair start to develop at 12 years. Boys hit their puberty when they start to have regular nocturnal emissions( wet dreams). The Boy’s voice changes and their spurt growth starts at its peak stage, 12 years old.

 

2. Behaviour

The sudden and rapid changes make the teenagers go through an awkward phase where they are self-conscious and their self-esteem is low. The changes are very drastic and new to them, they start comparing themselves to their peers. These physical changes make girls worried about their first menstrual cycle and boys may worry if they don’t know about nocturnal emissions.

During this phase, it is very normal for teenagers to get distinct from their parents and get close to their peers. It is easier to talk to their peers because they are going through the same thing. They start to experiment, they start to share some kind of interest,  have secret codes and rituals, dress alike, etc In early adolescence, their friend’s group consists of non-romantic relationships. They usually refer to themselves as ” gangs”.  As they move into mid-adolescence(14 to 16 years), they start to develop intimate relationships. They start to identify their sexual identity.

 

3. Independence 

Teenagers seek to become independent and that’s a normal part of human development. They start to question old values, which does not mean they are disrespecting their parents. The parents need to understand their phase and be consistent in listening to their problems. Parents should not dominate their child’s thoughts. There should not be a fight for power but be there for them as a friend. They should recognize their conflicts while parenting adolescents, the problem would have caused due to an unsolved problem.

 

Problems faced by teenagers:

Teenagers face real problems as they have to cope up with their hormonal changes, physical change, social and parental forces, school pressure, and peer pressure.

 

1. Body Image

As there are physical changes taking place in the body during puberty they tend to gain weight which makes them conscious of their bodies as its completely new to them. They start to compare themselves with their peer group. Changes in their body like acne, stress marks, gaining weight, etc is normal and fine.

 

2. Depression 

About 13% of teenagers experience depression before reaching adulthood. Too much time on social media may cause a loss of interaction with peers in a face to face interaction and may feel lonely because they don’t feel the connection. Family trauma or loss of a loved one may cause depression. Teenagers should participate in physical activities which can help ward off depression. You never know what one is going through, so always be kind.

 

3. Bullying

Bullying is often termed to use force, to threaten, to physically or verbally abuse, and aggressively dominate. This occurs repeatedly. It is characterized by hostile intent, imbalance in power, and repetition over a while. People don’t realize the impact bullying leaves on one person, it might destruct their self-confidence and destroy them.  cyberbullying is bullying over the internet by sending hate messages and threats. Bullying is not cool, it is saddening.

 

4. Sexual activity

They start to experiment with their sexual choices which are usually risky as they are unaware of protections and may cause transmit different diseases. There have been so many cases of underage sex.

 

5.  Drug abuse 

Its been seen that there’s more usage of marijuana than cigarettes in teens. Many teens might start to use drugs either due to peer pressure or out of choice. Teens usually underestimate how easy it is to develop an addiction and how it destroys one’s life.

 

6. Academic problems

The pressure caused by education centres affects teenagers. There have been so many suicide cases due to academic pressure, it’s no more about knowledge its more about your marks. Marks don’t define anybody.

 

How to deal with puberty?

1. Talk to an adult

2. Learn how to use tampoon or pads beforehand

3. talk to your doctor

4. Go bra shopping

5. Think positive

6. have a good friend circle

 

Parenting tips:

1. Educate yourself – Read books about teenagers, remember your childhood.

2. Talk to your kids consistently – parents need to inform kids and be open with them about puberty and safe intercourse.

3. Put yourself in your child’s place – learn to show empathy.

4. Pick your battles –  If you cant give them what they want, give them what you can.

5.  Set appropriate expectations.

6. Respect the kid’s privacy.

7. Monitor what they see and read.

8. Make appropriate rules.

 

Common diseases: 

1. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 

People with ADHD have difficulty concentrating and focusing, overactive, and have trouble controlling impulsive behaviour. It can be reduced through medications like therapy and medicines.

 

2. Anxiety

it is caused due to stress. It’s a feeling of fear of what’s coming ahead.  It can be reduced through medication and eating healthy.

 

3. Asthma 

It’s serious disease-causing wheezing, difficulty breathing, and coughing.  Over a long time, it can cause lung damage.  It can be reduced through breathing exercises and Inhaled corticosteroids

 

4. Autism spectrum disorder 

Ita a developmental disability that causes significant behavioural and cognitive challenges.  It can be reduced through therapy.

 

5. Cancer 

The growth of abnormal cells has the potential to spread to different parts of the body. it can be reduced through surgery, radiation therapy, and Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplant.

 

6. HIV/ AIDS, STD, viral hepatitis, and Tb 

These diseases are caused due to intercourse.  It can be cured through different medications.

 

7. Obesity 

It’s a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. It can be cured by regular exercise and eating healthy.

 

8. Recreational water illness 

It is caused due to the spread of germs by either swallowing or breathing in mists or being in contact with contaminated water. It can be treated by antifungal or antibacterial medications.

 

Helpline: 

1.  https://www.teentalkindia.com/call