CHFD 331 AMU week 6 lesson Late Adolescence and Working Parents American Military University

Parenting teens can be particularly challenging. While teens may have fewer physical needs and be capable of significant independent action, they often have much higher emotional needs than younger children, and may require additional support and effort from parents and family.

The majority of American parents work, regardless of family structure. Working parents must rely upon childcare of various types while they are working outside the home. In addition, working parents may struggle with work-life balance and parenting while meeting career obligations, and must make the most of the time they have available to spend with their children.

Topics to be covered include:

Ways in which parents support cognitive, physical and socio-emotional development during the late adolescent and young adult years
Problems that may arise when integrating work and family lives
Types of childcare and how to select quality childcare
Parenting strategies for working parents that promote children’s growth and parent’s well-being

Puberty and Emotional and Social Development

The effects and timing of physical development associated with puberty may emotionally affect a teenager, although the effect is different for each gender and often more significant for girls. The emotional impact of
puberty can be both social and physical. Emotional changes are triggered by physical ones; however, socialization and personal relationships also become more important during puberty. Gender and socialization, particularly in the school environment is significant to the emotional development of older children and teens, but so too is parental response to the child or teen, and to the changes they arE experiencing.

Emotional changes that occur during puberty include:

Showing strong emotions, and frequent changes in emotional state.
Being more sensitive to and aware of the emotions of others.
Becoming more self-conscious about physical appearance and changes.
Believing they are invincible and not necessarily understanding the risks of their actions.

Many of the emotional changes that occur during puberty are physiological in nature. Hormones can cause a significant impact on mood and emotions for both boys and girls. In addition, the brain is not yet fully developed, making it difficult for teens to fully understand their own actions. While teens often have a bad reputation, it can help to remember that only five to 15 percent of teens go through a significant rebellion or experience substantial emotional or behavioral challenges.

Along with emotional development, social development and changes also occur during puberty. These changes are normal, but can be difficult for both teens and parents. Understanding normal social and emotional development can help parents to cope, and can also make it easier to recognize the difference between normal developmental behavior, and
behaviors that may be troubling or require additional care.

Social changes include:

Searching for identity – Teens may “try on” a variety of different roles. These can involve activities, appearance, and changes in groups of friends.

Seeking more independence – Teens may want less contact with parents and more freedom, or may have a growing desire to drive, or eliminate rules around driving or technology.

Looking for new responsibilities – Teens may be interested in taking on new responsibilities at home and school. This might include a part-time job to save for a car, provide spending money, or save for college.

Trying out new experiences, both safe and unsafe – Safe experiences might include things like sports, rock climbing or travel; unsafe ones could include sexual activity, drug use, drinking, or risky driving behavior.

Exploring sexual identity and romantic relationships – Older children and teens may show an interest in dating. Parents should handle these early relationships carefully, and with respect.

Communicating in different ways – Texting and social media may become more important. Parents need to balance thE child’s needs for privacy with the need for supervision.

Paying attention to thoughts of friends, rather than family – Peer pressure, or the influence of same-age teens, and peer interactions can become more important than the thoughts and feelings of family.

Expressing more interest in moral ideas and concepts of right and wrong – They may condemn things strongly, or show an interest in social justice issues or politics.