IT’S 11:00 P.M. AND DO YOU KNOW
WHERE YOUR ADOLESCENT IS?
By Rochelle Haywood, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.- C
Adolescence is a period in the life of a teenager marked by rapid physical changes, significant conceptual maturation, and a heightened sensitivity to the approval of peers. The adolescent is striving for autonomy from the parent and moving towards a sense of personal identity. It is important to note that the emerging teenager has to resolve questions about his relationship to his peer group, and develop a sense of group identity before he can resolve questions about his relationship to his family and to himself. The pressure of the peer group experience during this time in a teenager’s life both alters and shapes their personal values. The adolescent’s peer group is a major influence in the teenager’s evaluation of himself.
How does your teenager spend his weekends? Some parents would be stunned if they really knew what their teenager is doing!
Unfortunately, drinking, sex and drugs are part of a normal weekend for many teenagers. Teenager parties and gatherings are the major source of opportunity to experience these things, and often take place in the homes of teenagers, with parents present.
The teenage party becomes important to the teen for the following reasons:
• "to hook up",
• "to be part of something that gets talked about on Monday",
• "to get drunk",
• to see people that you haven’t seen in awhile,
• because friends are there,
• an opportunity to relieve stress.
At parties gone wild, parents may be at home, but if so they usually hide away; or they may be out of town. At some of these parties, teens may be drinking alcohol with the knowledge of the host’s parents. Some parents feel that as long as their children are at home, they’re safe. According to the Baltimore County Bureau of Substance Abuse; however, allowing your teen to drink at home is a message that reinforces what they are doing is OK. Many teens actually feel that they can’t socialize without being intoxicated. Several friends spread the word that a party is happening and 50 people may show up. If parents are away then the number of teens grows. A party grows exponentially through the use of cell phones. When a teen calls a parent from a cell phone to tell them they are OK, there is no way to verify where (Next Page)
