Changes in Relationships!

As adolescents develop socially and emotionally, changes in their relationships will occur.  Parents, teachers, friends, and others will notice that as teens progress socially and emotionally, their relationships will evolve to reflect the development.

• Spending More Time with Friends:  Teens will start spending less time with their families and more time socially with their friends.  This is a sign of their social development desire for more freedom and independence.  
• Developing Different Beliefs:  Part of development is the ability to think more abstractly and question points of view.  Adolescents become aware of new ideas and perspectives that are different from the ones they have been exposed to the most during childhood.  Young people will begin to develop their own independent thoughts and beliefs.
• Conflict:  As young people develop more independence and opinions they will become more confident in themselves.  Adolescents will stand up for what they believe to be their freedoms and opinions which can lead to conflict.  Differences in opinion will occur and combined with the new stronger feelings and emotions, conflict will follow as the young person learns to control their emotions while also standing for their new-found beliefs.

Relationships will develop as young people move through adolescence.  As growth occurs, it is important to allow the relationship to develop in a healthy way that both encourages the teen to grow but also helps them avoid bad decisions and costly mistakes.  As parents, teachers, counselors, and role models, it is important to recognize that relationships will change and help make the transition a positive part of development.