Discover the values that the next generation are concerned with and explore the reasons behind their thinking.
The teenage years are a time for change, transformation, and self-discovery. They are also the years that shape the future of a young person’s life, laying the foundation for the next several decades to come.
That is why it is critical for parents, teachers and other people of influence to understand what the most important elements in the lives of youths and the impact are they play on a daily basis.
Here, we will take a look at the most important values in a teenager’s life based on a combination of surveys and our own expertise in dealing with young people.
Communication
Communication plays a major role in the lives of teens because they are always interacting with others. With parents, siblings, friends, teachers, teammates and more, learning how to effectively communicate in a wide range of social settings allows youths to be understood and listened-to at all times.
The role of face-to-face communication becomes even more valuable in today’s world of text messaging and social media. By providing teens with the social skills and social awareness to make their voice heard, they will be confident in their ability to express themselves in the years to come.
Self-Acceptance
Students in high school are often found to place an importance on self-acceptance, as they are attempting to define who they are inside. With the added pressures of fitting in with other students, self-acceptance can be a struggle for students who may not fit the mold of the ‘ideal teen’.
As 31% of teens identify body image as an area of concern, these moments are crucial to help youths understand how vital it is to love yourself. This area is amplified for youths in the LGBT+ and minority communities, who may be dealing with additional self-acceptance issues.
Openness
Many teenagers tend to internalize their feelings because they believe that they do not have anybody to speak with about their problems. Concerned that they cannot speak about their personal lives with parents and afraid of sharing intimate secrets that may alienate them with friends, this can create a pressure-cooker effect inside them.
Developing an open, comfortable environment for youths to freely speak about their issues not only relieves that pressure, but it can lead to them receiving advice from others that have faced similar issues. Many teens feel like they are the only ones facing issues involving sexuality, alcohol/drugs and other ‘taboo’ topics, but openness helps them see that it is not the case.
Peer Pressure
We’ve all been there before. Somebody offers us a cigarette, a beer or some drugs that we do not want, however we feel we may need to take to impress them. Peer pressure is a constant occurrence throughout the teenage years, as youths are always faced with important decisions to make which can have profound consequences on their social standing.
By instilling a sense of self-awareness and confidence in teenagers, it gives them the tools they need to stay true to themselves. By not allowing the approval of others to define them, youths are able to overcome even the toughest peer pressure.
Community Engagement
Sports, the arts, music and other extracurricular activities are particularly important, as they provide an opportunity for personal release and social interaction. Nurturing the abilities and passion of teenagers keeps them on the right path, while also bringing them the enjoyment they need to escape the pressures of being a teenager.
71% of youths participate in sport and 32% take part in artistic activities, while 47% volunteer in their communities, making it a large portion of their lives outside of school. By helping teens figure out what they genuinely enjoy doing during their leisure time, we help build a well-balanced personality that prepares them for the future.
Rising Teens Focuses on What is Important to Teenagers
At Rising Teens, we are committed to delivering an atmosphere that is open, inclusive, and educational for our youths. By working with them to develop self-confidence and self-acceptance, we promote communication and openness in everything we do.
Then, our leadership training engages them within their community, so they can blend volunteer work, sports, and cultural activities to unleash their true potential.
Explore all of our programs and the positive impact they can have on teenagers at www.risingteens.com
