IST 605: Adolescent Development

You don’t have to have the perfect home life to succeed. In fact, a perfect home life could hinder you from becoming a resourceful adult. My mother used to have bird feeders all over our yard. She loved to watch them. Do you know what happens when you keep bird feeders for years and years? You have generations of birds who do not know how to feed themselves because they were born into an environment where food was always handed to them. Do you see where I’m going with this? The birds who live in an environment where they have to feed themselves are resourceful and teach their offspring to be resourceful. This is not a conscience decision; this is because there is no other choice for them. You are not a bird. You do not have a bird brain. You get to decide if you want your parents to hand you things or if you want to work for them. If you choose to let them hand you things, be grateful, be humble. Life does not always work like that. If your caregiver(s) is not able to give you things, be grateful for what you do have, there are always others who have less. Choose to be humble, not resentful, this will help you to be resourceful and successful. 

There is a fear among many parents that their beautiful, happy children will become unmanageable adolescents constantly engaged in risky or damaging behaviors as they age. Unfortunately, this view of adolescents is the focus of the media, even though it relates to just a small percentage of young people. As research shows, most adolescents are responsible young people who care about their families and crave the support of their parents. Family Life in Adolescence discusses how children who have experienced positive, caring relationships with their parents are more likely than other adolescents to behave responsibly. In other words, behavior in adolescence does not 'come out of nowhere' but builds on earlier experiences in the family. 

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) have been linked to health problems later in life. The Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience With Health Outcomes in Adolescents: An Observational Study discusses how strengthening and supporting resilience and the relationship between the adolescent and caregiver can improve health outcomes among at-risk teens.