What problems do teenagers face? Some of us don’t realize that teenagehood is a vital time of every teenager’s life. It is the time when we grow, prepare ourselves for the adult world, and change both mentally and physically. It can be difficult, too, whether that be for the teenager themselves or those who are around them.
Unfortunately, there are many issues that teenagers face, and it is important to be made aware of these difficulties. Being aware allows us to interact openly with teenagers as well as have an understanding.
This article will delve into all there is to know, examining the many problems teenagers are facing today.
Lack of Self-Confidence
It is very common for teenagers to lack self-confidence and experience identity crises. They will doubt themselves and their achievements, and compare themselves to others around them, whether that be celebrities they see in the media or their classmates.
Teenagehood is a time for teenagers to find their voice, but many struggle to find it. It also doesn’t help when the people around you are changing physically, growing taller, and developing into young adults. It is easy for a teenager to lose confidence in themselves because of these reasons.
You may also notice that this low self-esteem may be triggered by society and peer pressure that demands them to be this or that to fit in. It usually is related to body images. These teens went through biological changes that affected their bodies.
And when that shifts don’t go as they wanted, they will drain the confidence. If they are expected to be slim, not a few of them may experience eating disorders due to this ridiculous expectation.
Stress
Another big issue is the stress a teenager faces. Teenage life is supposed to be fun and full of adventure and opportunity. But unfortunately, not many are experiencing this. Instead, they are filled with stress, and that stress usually comes from academic pressure.
They are having to think about studying for exams, handing in homework on time, and preparing for their future. They are always being questioned about whether they want to go to college and what their career goals are.
Not to mention the parental expectations that oftentimes demand them always to be the best in class, which adds another burden on their shoulders. All of this pressure is enough to cause stress on any teenager.
Bullying
Bullying has always been around, but since the rise of social media addiction nowadays, it has become a lot worse. It is very common to be bullied, especially as a teenager, and this bullying can damage a teenager.
They can lose all confidence, become reserved, and may not even want to attend school anymore. And this is an alarming behavior since they will start to withdraw themselves from society. In many cases, bullying can lead to mental issues like depression and self-harm.
Unfortunately, bullying cannot be escaped even when at home because of social media, where the bullying is able to continue, and this is a true problem.
What Are Signs Of Bullying Victims?
While bullying is a serious issue that can have long-term trauma to your kids and teenagers, many of them are reluctant to report it. According to Stop Bullying Gov, those victims generally think they can handle this problem alone. They feel powerless.
And worse, sometimes parents take the complaint as a joke. For that reason, we would like to share some signs that your teens are being bullied so that you can be more aware of the shift in behavior they may experience:
- Destroyed clothes, stationary, bags, electronics, and other belongings
- Visible injuries they can’t explain where they come from
- Changes in sleeping patterns, eating habits, and behavior in general
- Noticeable drop in academic performance
- Showing signs of social withdrawal (e.g., avoiding interaction with their peers)
- In the worst case, they will start harming themselves, which may lead to suicidal thoughts. In this case, you will need immediate professional help.
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is another big issue with teenagers. Many teens feel the need to do risk-taking behavior, even if they don’t want to, all for the sake of seeming cool. Whilst some peer pressure may be harmless, there are other pressures that can cause harm.
Because friends smoke cigarettes, they may feel inclined to follow. If they know that everyone is smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol and parties, they’d want to try it out too. And here, if you don’t pay attention to your kids, it is possible that they may develop substance abuse.
At this young age, it is not safe to be sucked into this type of world because of peer pressure. Not only is it not safe, but it shows that this teenager doesn’t have a voice.
Body Image Struggles
With social media, it is easy for teenagers to feel pained by their own physical appearance and struggle with their body image. Boys will see men who are tall with muscles and a strong jaw; girls will see women with the perfect hourglass figure and glamorous makeup.
Although for some, these are just images, for teenagers it can truly hurt the way they view themselves. Because of this, teenagers can develop body dysmorphia which can lead to eating disorders and self-hatred.
Family Issues
As kids hit the teenage phase, it is not uncommon for their attitude towards their family members to change. This can cause a negative family dynamic, with them beginning to resent their own parents and their parents struggling to find any resolution. A communication breakdown will eventually start to grow within the family.
Although this is a problem, it is something that comes naturally with puberty. They have so many emotions, and this can cause them to become annoyed and more miserable. It is up to the family around them to stay positive and still try to have that emotional bond, even if it seems difficult.
Sexual Activity
How To Communicate About Sex With Your Teens?
Interest in starting a relationship usually begins at puberty. And that’s completely normal as teenagers experience biological and physical change. They also develop a more mature mentality to create a romantic relationship and face the relationship problems that go along with it.
As a parent, you must build communication with your teens about sex education. It includes the risk of STI due to unprotected intercourse, pregnancy, the risk of sexting (regarding pornography), etc. Doing so will make your teen more aware of choosing a partner and not being reckless.
You can start by asking how she’s doing. Then, gently and slowly refer to the conversation about her partner. Don’t push her too hard if she doesn’t want to talk yet. Let the chat flows to allow her openly talk about it. That’s a sensitive topic, so let her digest it first.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to being a teenager, there are many problems that are faced. Whether that be struggling with body image or being stressed, these problems need to be resolved. The best way to do that is through communication.
If you are a parent or a loved one, don’t be afraid to sit your teenager down and talk to them openly, get to know how they are feeling, and always make time for them.
They may be facing some of these issues in silence so it is good for them to have someone they can turn to.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why Should You Be Made Aware?
It is necessary to know about the problems teenagers face in order to be able to connect on a deeper level with them. If you are a parent, it is natural to worry about your teenager, especially with the problems in the world.
It is also important to understand your own self as a teenager to protect yourself from threats. Whilst being a teenager can be lots of fun and a time to grow and make great memories, it is also a complicated time that many struggle to get through.
What Problems Do Teenagers Face?
There is a list of problems that teenagers face that needs to be established in order to help with those issues. Many teenagers struggle on their own, have inner demons, and cannot confide in others to help.
They are going through a time when their body is changing, their emotions are heightened, and they are undergoing stress as they prepare for adulthood.
In this section, we will be highlighting some of these problems to allow for a better understanding.
If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy our article on ‘What To Do With A Teenager In Vegas‘.
Over the years, I have seen my fair share of teenage issues. I have also seen plenty of worried parents at a loss of what to do with their children.
My aim with Talking Teenage is to put a stop to this and help you to communicate with your teenagers better. This will leave you with a better relationship and help you to keep such a close bond.
Please take the time to read my website and learn anything you can - we were all teenagers once!
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