More Than Schoolwork: Dealing with Today’s Teen Issues

As adults, most people can agree that the teen years were tumultuous. This is when teens seek independence, yet they still rely on their parents (and desperately need them). Part child, part adult, these older children are planning their future, looking for part-time after-school jobs, and have few bills to pay, if any.

Although they may not have a mortgage or a car payment, teens face challenges. Some of these teen issues are the same ones young people have experienced since the beginning of time. Other difficulties stem from today’s technology. Being aware of what teen issues your teenager will face can help prepare them for an easier transition into adulthood.

Dealing with Teen Issues Faced by Teenagers Today

Substance Abuse
The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics states that the percentage of drug use by eighth graders grew by 61% from 2016 to 2020. About half of teenagers have misused drugs, according to the same organization. It seems unbelievable that children are introduced to drugs at such a young age, but there are cases where children are even younger, misusing drugs in early middle school.

Not all of these involve illicit drug use. Teens usually have easy access to parents’ and grandparents’ medications, as they are no longer little children, and you may not feel the need to hide these prescriptions. Sometimes, out of curiosity or stress, the teen will take the pills.

Unfortunately, no medication is entirely safe without side effects. Drugs taken by someone who does not need the meds or takes too much can easily overdose. Some prescription medications are also controlled substances and are highly addictive. If you suspect your teen is abusing medications or other drugs, reach out for help right away.

Peer Pressure
Peer pressure seems to be as old as time (Adam and Eve, for instance). Teens want to fit in, even with people they do not necessarily like. Teens want to be seen as strong, confident, brave, and clever. This means that sometimes they make decisions based on how other people might view them.

Take these examples:

Billy Billy likes the girl from his science class. She is funny, intelligent, and pretty. His friends are invited to a party where the girl will also be hanging out for the evening. Billy’s friends insist that they bring beer to the party. Although Billy and his friends are underage, and Billy has no genuine desire to drink, he sees the girl grab a beer can and pour the entire thing into a cup. To seem cool and hoping that the girl will like him, Billy pours himself a cup in front of her and downs it.

Mattie Mattie is out shopping with her friends on a Saturday afternoon, and they enter an expensive department store. Mattie knows she cannot afford any of the clothes in the store and mentions this to her friends. But her friends tell her they are not there to shop.

Mattie watches in horror as her friends slowly work around the store, evading cameras and slipping small items into their jacket pockets. When they make rude remarks to Mattie about her being afraid, she reluctantly swipes a pair of earrings off the rack and into her pocket.

Drinking alcohol and theft are things Billy and Mattie would never have done on their own. It does not have to be either of those. Kids are pressured to do drugs, have sex, engage in risky behavior, fight, or, in severe cases, commit heinous crimes.

It isn’t easy to navigate your teen’s relationships as kids can act one way in front of adults and another when together. Just remember that your child’s friends are also children. You want to stop the behavior by addressing it with other parents or authorities. You cannot be sure what is at the root of other children’s behavior.

Teen Pregnancy
The United States has the highest percentage of teen pregnancy compared to other developed countries. The good news is that the rate has declined in recent years. It is challenging to talk with your teen about sex, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

You think of your teenager as your baby still, and knowing they may engage in that behavior before they are adults is heartbreaking. However, emotions run high during the teen years due to hormones, and lust is a new feeling for them.

If possible, give your children an example of how a relationship should develop. If you are not married, be a role model in how one should date. If you are a Christian, this is an excellent season to show how life can align with Biblical principles.

Due to feelings of romance and lust, peer pressure, and the need to feel like an adult, teens can move too fast before they are truly ready. A teen girl may fall in love with the boy next door and believe they will be together forever, only to find herself pregnant and alone.

A teen boy may want to prove his manhood by sleeping with several girls, only to find himself spreading an STD. Discussing sex with your child is awkward, but the teen issues that can arise from not talking to them are life-changing.

Bullying
Bullying tends to reach an all-time high during the teen years, and a bully can find any excuse to torment their victim. Whether clothes, poverty, appearance, or intelligence, a bully seeks to find a weakness to feel better about themselves. Bullying can be extreme, and school administration should be notified as soon as possible. In some cases, the authorities will need to handle the situation.

You can help by stepping in and speaking to the appropriate people who can stop the bullying. Also, work with your teen to build their self-esteem and confidence.

Cyberbullying
Social media is an incredible technological invention. It allows us to reconnect with others and stay in touch with our loved ones who live far away. However, teens sometimes use it as a place to vent, like a diary, and they put their feelings out there for the world to see. They leave themselves open to comments by their peers.

Cyberbullying is simply bullying another person by using the internet. This can include making derogatory remarks, name-calling, or posting indecent pictures and memes about another child.

What is worse is that bullying in school may consist of one or two bullies. Cyberbullying, where unlimited people can make comments, can feel overwhelming. A teen can feel as if the entire world hates them based on bullying posts on social media.

Speak to a counselor (and the authorities) if your child is the victim of cyberbullying. Any form of bullying can lead to depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.

Becoming Overwhelmed
The high school years focus on planning for the future. Teens work in athletics, music, and academics to earn scholarships for college. Unfortunately, keeping up with schoolwork, SAT/ACT preparation, and extracurricular activities can overwhelm a child. Combine that with pressure from parents, school administration, and staff, which can lead to depression and anxiety.

Poverty
Poverty is another age-old issue that affects children. Teens are more likely to do worse in school when hungry or concerned about what others think about their clothing. Children who live in households where the parents are struggling and cannot meet the basic needs of electricity or running water may reflect poor hygiene.

Some children in poverty avoid classes or walk around with a chip on their shoulder, ready to fight at a moment’s notice. These teens may drop out of school to get jobs to help their families financially.

Instead of demonizing families in this situation, consider getting together with other parents and (quietly) offering to help the family. Some school districts and churches provide food pantries and clothing drives for families struggling to meet basic needs. Counselors are available to help teens in poverty maneuver around these obstacles and stay on track academically.

Christian Counseling for Teens in Texas

If your older child is facing some of these teen issues, you may want Christian support to help them through it. In some cases, problems like cyber-bullying, peer pressure, or substance abuse can be so extreme that professional help is required. Contact our office today at Texas Christian Counseling to meet with me or another faith-based therapist in Texas and find out how to manage and overcome these challenges together.