Rebellious Teenagers, Fair? and How to Deal with the Rebellious Phase in Youth?

It seems to be a common thing that, naturally, teenagers have rebel characteristics. So naturally, most parents have started mentally preparing for this phase.

Well, even though it is considered normal, as a parent, of course sometimes wonder why this rebellious phase is almost always experienced by children who have just become teenagers?

The Brain Is Under Construction

According to David Elkind, Ph.D., a professor of child development at Tuft University School of Medicine in Boston explained that the rebellious phase in adolescents is related to the development of a part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex.

This prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain behind the forehead and functions as a center of judgment and as a thinking cap. Elkind explained that the development of this prefrontal cortex makes teenagers begin to develop their own ideas and ideas.

What Makes Teenagers and Early Childhood Different?

With the development of the prefrontal cortex, then of course there is something different from the way of thinking of adolescents and early childhood. When children are at an early age, they do not see the shortcomings of parents and assume that parents are always right and know everything, teenagers see a more realistic world.

Teenagers begin to build ideas on how to become parents based on many things. For example, based on the parents of friends, or based on other people they see through various online media. Teenagers also begin to compare their own parents with ideal parents according to their thoughts. This is what makes teenagers begin to experience a rebellious phase.

Now, even though Elkind said that the development of parts of the brain makes teenagers start to develop their own ideas and ideals, apparently other things trigger teenagers to rebel! What are some other reasons that make teenagers rebel?

Other Triggers Teen Rebels

1. Desire for Independence

Adolescence is a period where someone is between childhood and adulthood. This condition causes adolescents to have the motivation to become someone more independent, thus often making them rebel against certain rules. So, do not be surprised if teenagers also often argue with parents right?

2. Increased Difference with Parents

The rules adhered to by adolescents since childhood are too strict. This condition makes many teenagers begin to question why there should be rules like this and that. Teenagers even begin to feel that these rules severely limit their freedom. For example, when parents give a rule that teenage hair should not be dyed even though they think it is very cool. This difference triggers adolescent rebellion.

3. Impulsive Youth Decisions

Experts say that teenage decisions are often impulsive and are based on a desire to have temporary pleasures and find pleasurable experiences. This condition often obscures the thought process before making a decision. This is what makes parents opposed to adolescents and ultimately makes teens rebel against the boundaries created by parents.

For example, when teenagers start trying to smoke, drink alcohol, and even have free sex for temporary pleasure and don't think about the consequences. All these desires are almost always forbidden by parents, thus making teens rebel against parents.

4. Peer Pressure

Teenagers often emphasize trust in groups or peers so they can be part of the group. So it is not uncommon for teenagers to try to please the group even though it is contrary to parents.

5. Hormone Change

Hormonal changes during adolescence are also very capable of providing drastic changes in adolescents. One of them is the change in mindset in teenagers. For example, changes in sex hormones in teenagers have a significant impact on brain function and can affect essential neurotransmitters that cause problems with the mood and behavior of teenagers.

Why do teenagers rebel?

How to Deal with the Rebellious Phase in Youth?

1. Keep calm

The first way that needs to be done to deal with the teenage rebellious phase is to be calm. Remember that teenagers are still children. Use gentle and polite voice tones to ask what is on their minds. Show non-aggressive body language and show genuine care through your tone of voice.

2. Avoid using heavy punishment

Punishment will not work the same as when they were little. Therefore avoid severe penalties such as locking teenagers in a room, slapping teenagers, or stopping them from consuming their favorite foods. Punishment like this will only make teenagers increasingly rebellious.

3. Invite to be Like a Friend

We recommend that you invite teenagers to talk like friends to face the rebellious phase. Put your position the same as a teenager and avoid the Authoritarian sentences. For example, "I am your father / your mother, you must listen to me!" By placing yourself like a teenager you can speak softly. Have you ever experienced a rebellious teenage year? Then surely you can do it.

4. Explain the things that your concern

Instead of giving severe penalties to teenagers, it would be better to explain things that have been your concern so far. For example why you forbid teenagers to smoke and drink alcohol. Explain that serious health problems can approach your teenager.

5. Find Win-Win Solution

Parents and adolescents need to find a win-win solution to the challenges facing adolescents. For example, allow your teenager to go out at night but not later than 10 at night, or allow your teenager to have close friends but with a note that his school performance should not decline. This is another way you can deal with your rebellious teenager.

Teenage rebellion is arguably fair. There are so many reasons and triggers for teenagers to rebel. Some of the reasons above can cure your curiosity about why teenagers always rebel.