Understanding Parental Influence on Your Teen's Behavior

Despite what teens may say, their parents do play a critical role in determining what influences them. In many ways, parental behavior and the nature of the parent/teen relationship influences a teen's decision to smoke, take drugs, become sexually active, and use contraception. Parental behavior can also affect teenager's choices to join a gang or participate in criminal activity.

As a parent, you play a vital role in helping your child avoid risky behaviors. Actively listening to what your teen has to say will pave the way for conversations about topics that concern you, but setting harsh, unbending rules may only drive your teen toward negative choices. If parents have a dominating parenting style and aren't knowledgeable about their teen's activities and interests, it is more likely that their teen will engage in risky behaviors. On the other hand, teens who report feeling 'connected' to their parents are the least likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Teen Smoking

Parents who are involved, responsive, and who hold their children to a reasonably high standard of behavior tend to have teens that are less likely to smoke than those whose parents do not. Research has shown that teens who have parents that smoke are at an increased risk of smoking, and teens who believe their parents would strongly object to their smoking are less likely to become smokers. To help prevent your teen from smoking, be a good role model, clearly communicate your disapproval of smoking, and consistently set firm rules and guidelines. Make sure your teen is well informed on the health risks of smoking.

A 2000 study on health-compromising behavior among teens showed that 86% of teens who have dinner with their families five or more nights in a typical week had never tried cigarettes, compared with 65 percent of those teens who have dinner with their families two nights a week or less. Again, this shows the best way that you can prevent your teen from smoking is to be a positive role model and be active in your teen's life.

Teen drinking

A focus group conducted by the National Commission Against Drunk Driving, concluded that the majority of parents interviewed see teen drinking as a serious issue. However, parents also tended to feel that they had very little influence over their teen's drinking and drinking-driving behavior. Parent's actually have more influence than you think, and the best way to encourage your teen to avoid drinking is to have a strong, trusting relationship with him or her. Your attitudes and behavior toward teen drinking also influence your child. Be a positive role model and don't allow underage drinking in your home. You also shouldn't allow your teen to go to friend's homes where underage drinking is allowed. Research shows that teens are much more likely to delay drinking when they feel they have a close, supportive tie with a parent. On the other hand, teens are more likely to use alcohol and to develop drinking-related problems if they experience higher levels of conflict with parents. Establish an open and trusting relationship with your teen. When they feel loved and supported at home, they are less likely to participate in activities like drinking to win the support and acceptance of their peer group.

Sexual Activity

Teens' choices about sex are most influenced by:

• how close they feel to their parents,
• family activities,
• parental presence at home, and
• feeling that they parents are concerned, supportive, and caring.

Teens say their parents influence their decisions about sexual activity more than any other source, according to a survey conducted by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Also, when asked where they learned the most about preventing teen pregnancy, more teens said parents than friends or the media. Most studies show that the risk of teen pregnancy is reduced by open communication with parents, sharing of family values, and parental involvement in teens' lives.

Teenagers are less likely to start having sex when their mothers are deeply involved in their lives and successfully communicate their values on sex. Research has shown that stressing abstinence to teens is best, but also talking to them about contraception is not viewed as a mixed message by 70% of adults and by 80% of teens. Boys may be more influenced by fathers, siblings and peers on their decision to have intercourse. In a loving, supportive, and open way, parents need to communicate their feelings on premarital sex clearly to their teen in order to help their teen make important decisions regarding sex.

The absence of positive family interaction and parental support, such as emotional support, closeness, and communication, can lead to a wide variety of risky behaviors among teens. Parents need to talk to their teens, consistently set rules and expectations for their teen's behavior, and monitor what their teen does. Parents can support positive peer relationships by giving their teenagers their love, time, boundaries, and encouragement to think for themselves.

Fast Facts About Adolescents

In 2006, 4.5 million children 3–17 years of age (7%) had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Boys were more than twice as likely as girls to have ADHD (11% and 4%).

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