by Jo Ann Wentzel

Created on: July 13, 2009

The parental role of promoting positive adolescent development is very important. Without a parent who wants the best for their child and helps their development in a positive way, the adolescent will never reach a proper adult development.

Adults must show by attitude that they expect their teens to do well. Expectations should be reasonable with room for growth. The teenager should always be reaching to improve themselves, but not against ridiculous odds or unreasonable expectations of parents.

The parent must be a constant teacher in order to develop skills and attitudes that spell out maturity. These skills must be those necessary to function in an adult world. The attitudes must be those that allow for individuality and belief and love of self.

When parents do not encourage and support their teens, a low self-esteem is evident. The causes of low self-esteem such as constant criticism or being told you won't amount to much are very detrimental to the proper growth of any person. Teens with low self-esteem are often victims of self-fulfilling prophecy. They do not mature correctly and so cannot be useful, happy citizens of the world.

Parents who cannot take the time to care for their children leave their kids feeling they have no value produce kids that do not usually succeed until they can change that attitude. Parents have a lot o answer for when they parents in this way.

Teens need to be given experiences that help them to learn and grow. Parents who are too busy to teach life skills to their teens will produce kids who grow into useless and non- functioning adults.

Positive adolescent development means the children are allowed to grow from one stage to another with confidence and support. Parents who allow their kids to remain babes long past the time they should do not help their children. Those who push their kids into becoming little adults way before they are ready also do damage. A baby must become a toddler and then a small child; a small child must become an older kid before they become a teen. A teen must be taught all they need to know before being forced to become an adult. Each age and stage has its usefulness and reason. They are all steps in a child's development. None should be skipped.

Giving a child the chance to learn everything they can about the world and life is vital for proper development. Exposing them to all types of people, different cultures, and life situations is a valuable help in development.

Parents or the guardian's role is the only really definitive force in how an adolescent develops.

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