Teenagers! — Handle with Care

Did you know that teenagers did not always exist? Obviously, since Adam and Eve became parents, children have grown through the years we define as adolescence, generally 12-18. As a defined demographic, however, teenagers have only been around since the early 1940’s.

By definition, the years between 12 and 18 are a transitional time in human development—biologically, socially, and psychologically. Until the beginning of the 20th century, most young people stayed at home and worked on the farm or in a factory until marriage. In Teen-agers: An American History, sociologist Grace Palladino points to the Great Depression as the time when things began to change. With many adolescents leaving home and no work to be found, problems began to arise. FDR’s National Youth Administration focused on getting them into public high school for education and training. By 1939, 75% of 14-17 year olds were in school compared with a graduation rate in 1900 of only 6%. As this transition took hold, this age group became more defined as its own sub-culture with its own music, dress, and slang, eventually to be known as teenagers.

Today the teenage years are defined by more than music and fashion. Although they don’t deal with a large issue such as WWII or Vietnam, they are bombarded with a million smaller ones courtesy of television, the internet, YouTube, and instant messaging. They know more of what goes on in every corner of the globe, both good and bad, than we ever did often leaving them stressed and confused. So what should a parent know and how can a parent help?

By its very nature adolescence is a time of turmoil because of the changes that are occurring. Feeling down, anxious, or just being difficult will be common to all teens from time to time. In both Ephesians (6:4) and Colossians (3:21) fathers are instructed not to exasperate or embitter their children lest they become discouraged. How often do we focus instead on Scripture's admonition for children to obey parents? Yes, these instructions are there but one is not a condition of the other. Later in Colossians 3: 12 & 13, we are instructed as God’s dearly loved chosen people to clothe ourselves with compassion…gentleness…patience…and bear with one another. Perhaps the teenage years are a time of greatest need for gentleness and patience as we try to be available to listen and build our relationship with them.

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