Being a teenager has always had its challenges, but being one in today’s world poses its own unique challenges. As a parent or guardian it can be difficult to relate to what they are going through and get them the help they need. The first step is understanding what they’re up against and what may be causing them to become violent. Here are a few factors that could contribute to violent behavior in your teen:
Lack of Community Involvement
Teens can be very sensitive to their surroundings and if you’re living in an area with a high crime rate, you have your work cut out for you as a parent. If you are in this position, it’s extremely important to take advantage of the programs available in your community. If you’re in an area that doesn’t have a lot of supervised after-school activities or part-time job opportunities, it’s a challenge to keep them engaged with their surroundings in a healthy way. Unfortunately, being in that type of community greatly increases the chances that they will become violent.
Violent Peers
If your teen is hanging out with other teens who are violent, they are more likely to display that kind of behavior. It’s important to know who they’re spending their time with and empower them to make good choices as far as the company they keep. They need to know that violent behavior is completely unacceptable and they should only be around teens who are making the right decisions.
Mental Health Challenges
If your teen is withdrawn, seems depressed or is having frequent outbursts, it may not just be your teen being a teen – they could have mental health issues that need to be confronted. Group and individual therapy may be the solution. It’s important to have an open dialogue with your teen about how they’re feeling and trust your instincts if you think that they have violent tendencies.
Lack of Discipline At Home
Teens aren’t always going to come out and say what’s bothering them and they may not even know what’s causing their anger and violent outbursts. If they’ve observed or been involved in violent domestic disputes, they are more likely to become violent themselves. Also, if there’s a lack structure and discipline in their lives. Teens thrive when they are given structure. Sending them to military schools and boot camps for boys can get them back on the right path.
Whether your teen has already displayed violent behavior or you think they may become violent, the first step is to get help. You don’t have to tackle it on your own. At Sundance Canyon Academy, we’re ready to take action to break the cycle of violent teen behavior. Contact us today to see how we can help.