Why Doesn't My Teenager Leave Their Room?
Does your child spend hours and hours in their room? Do they refuse to open up and invite you in? Are you worried that they’re isolated for too long? Are you worried that you don’t know how to act? Okay. If your answers were yes, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll look at the possible reasons why your teenager refuses to leave their room and assess the best course of action.
Why won’t my child leave their room?
The reasons why a young person chooses to lock themself in their room are varied. Some of them reflect a natural and even healthy behavior, while others may represent a major concern. A priori, we can say that this is an expected behavior if we take into account the stage of life they’re going through. Keep in mind that although they need their parents close by, they’re now starting to keep secrets and want to feel free and independent.
Because of this, it’s natural that we notice that they’re more reserved. They no longer tell us about their daily activities, nor do we know for sure who they chat with. The point is that teenagers need to gain autonomy as they grow up. In general, isolating themselves in their rooms may have something to do with this process. Let’s see what the most common reasons for this behavior are.
1. They want to differentiate themself from the rest of the family
In a family with healthy dynamics and relationships, each member is different from the others. There is a we, but there is also an I, a you, and a they. That is, although there’s a sense of belonging that establishes security and well-being, individuality is clearly delimited. Did you know that personal identity is built through otherness? This means that it’s shaped through the relationship with oneself and with others. In simple words, it’s about recognizing one’s own existence to the extent that I can distinguish myself from other people.
“In this process of identity, subjectivity is organized after processes of identification and differentiation with otherness. Difference and equality are basic concepts of human thought, there is practically no thought in that does not include in one way or another the fact of being different or being the same.”
-Bernal, C., Matoma, LV-.
2. They seek to explore their sexuality
On the other hand, sexual exploration is undoubtedly one of the main reasons that could explain why they behave the way they do. Their bedroom may be the only place in the house where they can be alone. So, it’s natural that they choose to lock themself in there to get to know their own body. In this regard, having a safe and intimate space is beneficial for self-exploration in this stage of physical and psychological changes.
3. They need to mark limits
A closed door is an explicit limit, but also a symbolic one. It means ‘this is as far as you go’. Logically, young children’s rooms are often left open, even at night. For, in infancy, children need us closer than far away. However, once they become more independent and can solve certain issues on their own, free parental access to their bedroom is no longer necessary.
So, if your child spends a lot of time in their room with the door closed, the message they may want to give you is: “This is my space and you can’t come in without my permission. I decide how much time I spend here and who I let in”. In this way, the young person marks a certain distance, and it’s important that you can respect it, as long as it’s a healthy and proportional limit.
4. The digital world plays a leading role in their life
The technological factor can be the basis of your child’s isolation in their room. Whether it’s playing video games, interacting with other people, surfing social networks, or consuming content through YouTube, Twitch, or TikTok, it’s essential to determine whether digital entertainment is moderate or excessive. In some cases, the world of teenagers’ experiences is reduced to the digital sphere. If so, it’s important to seek strategies to encourage conscious and responsible use of technology.
5. They can’t find resources to face the threats of the outside world
This is one of the reasons that may require adult intervention. When isolation is voluntary and is established as an avoidance mechanism, it’s important to expand the senses and be alert to warning signs. Lonely behavior is a matter of concern for parents, teachers, and health professionals.
The tendency to isolate out of fear of the threat posed by the outside world is associated with weak social skills and poor self-image. These are adolescents who are uncomfortable in the presence of others. Consequently, to minimize the chances of being rejected, they choose to avoid interpersonal contact.
“Deficits in social skills, particularly an aggressive style and low leadership skills, enhance the subjective perception of loneliness, which in turn, sustain difficulties in social interaction.”
-Contini EN, Lacunza AB, Medina SE.
Should I intervene if my child won’t leave their room?
As we can see, there’s no universal answer to why an adolescent refuses to leave their room for a long period of time. This behavior may reflect a healthy and expected attitude considering the stage of life they’re in. However, it could also be an indication of an emotional problem that requires professional guidance.
As parents, we should intercede if and when we feel that the isolation has reached a problematic level. Enabling dialogue based on empathy and respect and asking for professional help are the best measures we can take if we have doubts about the complexity of this scenario.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Bernal, C., Matoma, LV (2013) La construcción de la identidad en la adolescencia. Universidad Pedagógica Nacional. Facultad de Educación. Bogotá.
- Contini EN, Lacunza AB, Medina SE, et al. Una problemática a resolver: Soledad y aislamiento adolescente . Rev Elec Psic Izt. 2012;15(1):127-149.
- Tapia, M. L., Fiorentino, M. T. y Correché, M. S. (2003). Soledad y tendencia al aislamiento en estudiantes adolescentes. Su relación con el autoconcepto. Fundamentos en Humanidades, IV(7-8),163-172. [fecha de Consulta 26 de Octubre de 2022]. ISSN: 1515-4467. Recuperado de: https://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=18400809