Metaphors on Teens - Essay Example

Thesis

For teenagers, “attempting to catch a fish in a frozen pond” is akin to counting all the stars in the sky. Similarly, “walking into the fire without water” is like going to war without armor. Many teens want to explore the world and not be held back because of the threat of outside dangers. Some teenagers are hard to discipline, stubborn, and argumentative. In terms of an overarching concept, communication, ort, and bringing a parent-teen relationship to harmonious respect. Teens are spending less time talking with their parents and more time with peers, deteriorating and disconnecting their relationships. In this scenario, communication is needed to prevent a relationship from being torn. Just as food and air are necessary for human survival, so is communication necessary for the development and sustainment of a relationship. Thus, communication is like a bridge that connects two separate ways into one.  Communication is a tool for showing love and interest, resolving conflicts and issues, and a means of building close relationships. As supported by Norbeck and Fitzpatrick (125), in a parent and adolescent relationship communication is a commonplace means of understanding. Meanwhile, teens of today are more exposed to negative influences through factors such as technology and peer pressure --destructing powers that increase as time ages. Therefore, teens must be parented properly and should be treated and comforted like a pillow.

How to parent your teens with love and compassion

Children are highly precious people to their parent’s lives. When children become teens, they tend to explore the world on their own -- they love adventure, games, and hanging out. Parents must understand that their teens are growing and developing into an adult state. Some teens tend to disobey their parents due to many reasons; for instance, sometimes they want their desires to be granted. “Am I a controlling parent? Do I listen to my child?” parents often wonder. Parents, especially those who are autocratic, want their teens to follow every command and rule they impose. However, just as if too much weight is placed on a bridge it will break, so will parents acting too strictly result in cracks in the relationship. Indeed, if parents are too strict in not considering teens’ feelings, desires, and opinions, conflict may arise.

Parents must show love and compassion to their teens despite disobedience. Teens want to be loved and cared for by their parents and see their parents as their protective shield when it rains. There are many ways parents can show love and compassion to their teens. According to Taylor (2005), parents must teach love and compassion so that teens understand its essence. Second, parents must plan activities that establish compassion and increase love, such as family outings, family prayer, scripture study, watching movies together, etc. Meanwhile, teens might get mistaken, so it is a perfect time for parents to show love and compassion through comforting, teaching teens how to make decisions, and “encouraging them to rise after having stumbled down.”

How to parent the stubborn and argumentative teenager through peer pressure

At their age, teens are like the ball that keeps on rolling. Peer pressure greatly influences teens’ behavior as they might apply what they have learned from peers. Some teens are stubborn and very augmentative. Parents of this kind have a hard time negotiating with them. According to Thompson (2006), some teens often love to argue and persist in their ideas. They want to be always right, and do the things they want. Parents want the best for them, so generally what they consider is the best and right they will do. Just as a dog will test its owner's boundary by running into the neighbor’s yard, so will teenagers challenge their parents. Consequently, stubborn teens would disobey and rebel because they feel like they are being choked.

Some teens want independence and are exposed to peer pressure. According to Havelin (2000) sometimes teens may feel like they want their parents away from them so that they cannot bother them. Just as it's necessary to eat certain things in moderation, parents must administer support and advice in moderation. Indeed, parents must pull their teens away from being swayed away into danger. When conflict arises, there are many ways how to negotiate with argumentative and stubborn teens. For instance, parents should keep communication open and listen to their teen’s concerns and problems. They should also involve them in a rule-making process, such as setting a curfew; first, explain to them why it is necessary -- for their safety. Let teens formulate solutions to the problem and discuss with them the merits of each. Then, let them decide (“Parenting 101, n.d.).

Closing Arguments

Whenever a teen will “attempt to catch a fish in a frozen pond” and “walk into fire without water,” it’s the parents who can “melt the ice and catch a fish for them; and it’s the parents who will provide water when they are burning with fire.” It’s highly important for parents to communicate with their children on a daily basis. They should show love and compassion to their children. Parents must not be too strict and develop functional communication lines with their teens. This will allow parents to help them avoid peer pressure. Ultimately, these elements contribute to a healthy and functional relationship with one's teens.