Things That Teens Believe About Relationships

When it comes to friendships many teenage kids are laboring under some big misconceptions. It is up to you as a parent to watch out for some of them and correct them so that they do not become chronic life-long beliefs that limit their options in life or ability to relate to others.

Perhaps the biggest and stupidest myth that teenagers subscribe to is that girls and boys can't be friends. Make sure your teen knows that the longest-term and most successful relationships come from men and women who are friends first. Stress that it is important to have a relationship with someone who likes and respects you before you get intimate and physical. Warn them about how easy it is to pretend that someone you are attracted to is actually your best friend.

Another thing that a teen that does not date is not cool. This is ridiculous as many teens do not date because they are concentrating on school, extra-curricular clubs or community interests. Many also do not date because of family or religious beliefs. Explain how it is important to develop your own character as well as relationships with others.

Unfortunately many teens also believe that a girl that has a lot of friends that are boys is a slut. This is the kind of profiling of young females that can be very damaging. If your child is partaking in the kind of gossip that brands a young woman as a slut then you need to correct his trend just in the name of being a good feminist.

Another thing that girls in particular believe is that if they are taken out on a date and a boy spends a lot of money on them then they have to put out. You need to tell your boys and your girls that money does not equal sexual favors. No one should be pressured or intimidated into giving sex to someone else. This is also why it is a good idea to convince your teens to do inexpensive or free things with the opposite sex like take a bike ride or got a movie matinee. This very wide-spread belief is also why you should always make sure that your teenage girl has enough money to get home, pay her own way or do what it takes to get out of situations where someone may be offering to pay her way in return for sex.

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Respect In Family Relationships

If you want to raise a kid that has excellent character then teach him or her to be respectful. You must not tolerate disrespectful behaviors like demeaning, yelling and emotional blackmail. Respecting each other’s feelings does well for the parent-child relationship.

You need to teach your kid to honor the individual worth a dignity of other human beings. All human beings have value. People are not to be used or manipulated for the power to get ahead.

Par to f respect is treating others with courtesy. Basic politeness promotes positive human relationships. They should accept the differences between individuals and judge people on their character and ability and not appearances or on how much money they have.

One of the worst things you can do is show signs of disrespect like defensive body language or a refusal to listen. Interrupting and using a nasty or sarcastic tone of voice should be discouraged in yourself and your kids. Never imitate your kid’s voice or belittle them for asking a simple question. Never ever make fun of a child’s appearance.

Kids have feelings and you can avoid a lot of trouble by letting your kid know that he or she is hard.

Self-respect is also an issue. Respecting yourself is about respecting others. When it comes to being a parent you need to respect the autonomy of other and be respectful of your child’s autonomy. This means to see the child separately from yourself. Allow him or her to make his or her own decisions.

To enforce these basic rules of respect it is important to point out to a teen or a child when he or she actually is disrespectful. Explain it but do not chastise the child too hard for it.

Learn how to agree to disagree. You can disagree with someone without demeaning them. Let your child know that differences of opinion are sometimes to be cherished; they make us all unique.

Furthermore, you have to set a good example. How you act as a parent means even more than you say. Walk your talk. Listen to your kid without criticizing and use positive language. Respect your teen’s possessions and their right to make their own decisions.

Parents should respect their teen’s privacy, unless you have cause for real concern. It is okay to check their child’s cell phone, computer or room if they think their teen is in danger or is involved in immoral, illegal or dangerous things.

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