The 7 Major Challenges Teenagers Face

The challenges teenagers face will mark their lives. Adults must accompany them and guide them on the right path. Learn more.

Sometimes it’s difficult to understand children who are in this stage of constant changes. However, we must remember that we too were their age and had to deal with the great challenges teenagers face.

What are the big challenges teenagers face?

1. Aggressiveness and bullying

As the World Health Organization (WHO) data show, in general, the chances of bullying or harassing other children increase between the ages of 11 and 15, in almost any country. It’s a form of violence that’s often invisible to parents, teachers, and even the child’s immediate environment.

That’s why it’s important to instill the values of good communication in children from an early age. We must teach them to manage their negative emotions, such as rage and anger in order to avoid bullying in the future. In addition, raising awareness of the problem is essential in order for our children to mature socially and personally.

2. Uninhibited sexuality

As a result of hormonal changes and those impulses of discovery, it’s essential to address issues of sexuality at home. This way, young people learn to be cautious and to feel confident with their loved ones. In this sense, sex education should begin in childhood, but shouldn’t be postponed beyond the age of 10 or 11.

3. Inclination when choosing a partner

With proper basic sex education, young people will have enough confidence with their parents to talk about existing relationships. The important thing is to make them aware of healthy relationships, violent ones, and gender identity, among other topics.

All these topics are important and will help the young person when they first experience having a stable partner. To do this, giving them the freedom to express themselves at home and the confidence to bring up their feelings openly is key.

4. Problems with alcohol

Another of the most recurring issues, unfortunately, that teenagers have to face, is related to alcohol intake. It’s becoming increasingly easier to access these products, which have a harmful effect on the physical and emotional development of young people.

This type of problem is often influenced by friends, but there’s also a greater risk of consumption if the young person lives in a hostile environment. Therefore, it’s a temptation you need to watch out for at all times.

5. Dependence on technology

The time that young people spend in front of screens is increasing. In fact, according to a study carried out in 2021 at the Hospital de Cuba, there’s growing global concern about the social isolation caused by these devices.

Of course, adolescents should be encouraged to make responsible use of social networks and the Internet. It’s important to raise awareness and establish some key criteria for the use of cell phones, tablets, and other computers.

6. A style of their own

Although parents may sometimes find it strange, it’s normal for children to look for their own style and try new trends. After all, fashion imposes its own criteria depending on who chooses the clothes. That’s why there are clothes and colors for all tastes. Also, their preference for a certain type of music, movies, series, or books, among others, will play a role.

The style of one’s personal appearance is a true reflection of the changes of this stage.

7. The need for independence

Adolescents value independence and freedom very highly during this stage. However, our responsibility is to teach them that not everything is easy to achieve, nor can they always achieve it quickly.

Having freedom and being independent are concepts that have to be very well explained, as they imply facing the problems of daily life, changes, expenses, and other responsibilities. Therefore, it’s important to instill the fact that the key is to work hard and persevere to achieve great things, and thus, be able to leave the nest at home sooner or later.

We must learn about the great challenges faced by teenagers

As parents, it’s sometimes difficult to put ourselves in our children’s shoes. And the same is true for our teens. That’s why we must try to provide a climate of stability, freedom, and trust at home. This means prioritizing dialogue about all these issues and about the main challenges teenagers face every day. Our responsibility is to try to understand adolescents and help them to walk through life in a respectful way.