TEENAGE YEARS

The teenage years mark the beginning of a young person's journey toward full independence. Much like a young eagle preparing for its first flight, f lapping its wings in the wind to build strength while clinging to a branch near the nest, adolescents start to stretch outward, gradually preparing to leave the safety of home. During this time, they work on developing social, educational, relational, spiritual, physical, financial, and vocational skills, all essential for eventual self-sufficiency. Parents play an important role in actively encouraging and supporting this developmental process.

While this is a time of tremendous growth, it also bears significant risks. Teenagers are not born with the wisdom, skills, and experience needed for independent living, as these qualities develop gradually through a myriad of experiences and parental and societal teaching. How parents respond to this process can greatly influence the outcome. Independence should be encouraged and gradually granted, but always under careful parental supervision.

During this phase, a natural tension arises in the parent-child relationship. Teens inherently strive for more and more independence, while parents often exercise caution in granting it. This tension is normal and is to be expected. Wise parents progressively allow more independence to their teenagers as they demonstrate sound decision-making, all the while maintaining necessary supervision. This gradual progression toward independence is an essential journey every family navigates as the young person prepares to leave home. In this next section, we will explore ways in which this dynamic tension plays out and how to manage it effectively.