Teens Thrive with Limits
It’s another one of those news stories that reports the findings of studies that reinforce what we already pretty much knew in the first place. Still, it’s encouraging to see it in print.
The USA Today story sites results from three studies, actually, in which it was found that teens did better when their parents set limits on their behavior. The studies include one on media consumption limits, one on bedtimes, and a third on teen driving rules.
Teen drivers whose parents set and enforced rules were more likely to wear seat belts and less likely to speed, get in crashes, drink and drive, or use cellphones while driving. (That study was in Pediatrics in September.)
The author of the study on teen driving, Kenneth Ginsburg, explains: “The reality is that teenagers care deeply what their parents think. The challenge for parents is to get across rules and boundaries in a way that doesn’t feel controlling.”
How does that work? The story describes an approach that will sound familiar to Real World Parents.
In the driving study, as in many other studies, the most effective parents were those researchers call “authoritative.” They set firm rules but explain and enforce them in a warm, supportive way. Parents who set no rules, fail to enforce them or rule with a “because I said so” iron grip are less effective.
Speaking of Real World Parents, look for Mark Matlock’s book of the same name will be available to order right here on the site in the next few weeks.
Previous entry: Building on Strengths
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
