Families Chapter 4

Emotional Relationship between Teens and Parents Overwhelming Majority of Teens –Feel close to parents –Respect parents judgment –Feel loved by parents –Respect parents as individuals 20% of U.S. teens say that their top concern is not enough time with parents

Is there really a Generation Gap? Your experiences…

Intergenerational Values Little evidence of a generation gap Adolescents and parents have similar beliefs about the importance of –Work –Educational ambitions –Occupational ambitions –Particular personal characteristics

Gap between Generations Exists in matters of personal taste These are more transitory preferences (compared to values shaped over time)

Family Relationships at Adolescence: The Parents The Adolescent’s Parents at Midlife

Family Relationships at Adolescence: Transformations Transformations in Family Relations –Adolescents play a more forceful role –Biological/cognitive maturation at puberty throws the family system out of balance

Adolescent Development and the Changing Family Adolescents and Divorce Quality of relationships Process of going through a divorce

Adolescent Development and the Changing Family Economic Stress and Poverty Parents under financial stress are –Harsher, more inconsistent, less involved –This leads to problems for the teens Adolescents in these conditions –Heightened risk for psychological difficulties –Heightened risk for problem behaviors

The Importance of the Family in an Adolescent’s Development Adolescents who feel that their parents or guardians are “there” for them – caring, involved, and accepting – are healthier, happier, and more competent than their peers