Juvie, Boot Camp, Or Therapy? Figuring Out What Will Help Your Teen Boy
Teenage boys can be incredibly difficult for parents to handle when they choose to act out. Many times they have already outgrown one of their parents and may be acting out aggressively. So, many of these parents turn to options like boot camps, therapeutic boarding schools, and youth detention centers in more extreme cases.
Each of these options has distinct pros and cons which you should know before you send your troubled son to one of these institutions.
Youth Detention Centers And Teen Boys
Parents cannot enroll their sons in youth detention centers, also colloquially referred to as juvie, a crime needs to be committed first. Many times juvenile court judges will offer several options to young offenders such as community service, monetary reparations, and/or time in a youth detention center. If parents aren’t willing to work with the other sentences, their son will be sent to a youth detention center.
Pros of juvie
Son is confined and limited in ability to create mischief
May scare him back into good behavior
Family is given space to recover from teen son’s bad behavior
Cons of juvie
Son will have a record, which may be public
Can be a long process sealing juvenile records
Son may be exposed to worse behaviors in juvie
Risk of recidivism
Poor academics so your son may fall further behind peers
Military-Style Discipline At Boot Camps
Juvenile boot camps attempt to mimic the military discipline seen in the armed forces. Many parents find this appealing when dealing with a seemingly impossible-to-discipline son. The out-of-control behavior is dealt with by high physical activity and strict structure. Boot camps also can be one of the least expensive options when dealing with a troubled teen. However, due to poor regulation, boot camps can greatly vary in quality.
Pros of boot camps
Variable duration, from weeks to years, depending on your son’s needs
Works defiant behaviors out with intense physical exertion
Give your son strict structure
Can be more affordable than other options
Many locations available
Cons of boot camps
Does not include actual therapy in most boot camps
High abuse statistics
No academic component so your son may fall behind
Your son does not learn how to transition back into regular society
High potential for injury
Excessive physical stress can make your son more resentful and defiant
Therapeutic Options For Teenage Boys
If you want to reach the root issue of your son’s troubles, we would recommend residential treatment. This type of therapeutic option requires your son be boarded away from home to be immersed in a therapeutic program. These programs bring therapy together while helping your son with his academics and self-discipline.
Pros of residential treatment
Regular individual therapy
Regular group and family therapy
Can help build positive relationships
Has built-in educational program to repair grades and catch up with peers
Strong physical aspect to help channel energy
Generally has more trained staffers
Cons of residential treatment
Can be one of the more expensive options when looking to help your troubled teen
May require your son stay at least 6 months to have deep effects
Not a locked facility, so your son can potentially leave the treatment center
If it is important that your son addresses the root of his troubles, then we recommend you a residential treatment center for your troubled teenage son.