In popular culture, the moody adolescent is easily recognizable. Teens are often portrayed as dangerously risk-taking, obstinate, moody and at the mercy of their growing minds and bodies. This unflattering and inaccurate portrayal begins to shape parents’ understanding of adolescence with a skewed perspective, reinforcing the unhelpful belief that this is a stage in the parenting relationship that “must be survived”. At the same time, these low expectations are subversive to the adolescent's own sense of self and understanding of the true strengths they explore and develop throughout this period.
Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg and his team at the Center for Parent and Teen Communication are seeking to change this framework, offering hope, quality information on adolescent development and practical strategies to guide parenting practice to best support youth throughout the teen years. Similarly, as a practicing physician in Adolescent Medicine, Dr. Ginsburg believes in the power of putting knowledge and resources into the hands of youth themselves, empowering them to understand their development, create ways to manage stress in healthy ways, and to reach out to their parents/caregivers on topics where they may feel anxious or stigmatized.
Articles, slideshows, and videos -many created by youth for youth are now universally accessible through the Center’s website at www.parentandteen.com, Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/parentandteen, and @parentandteen. The site also includes an interactive stress management tool that youth can use to create their own individual stress management plan with healthy coping strategies.
All resources are grounded in positive youth development, trauma-responsive approaches and resilience development. Please review, use and share this comprehensive new site.
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