In the previous hypothetical case examples (Aaron & Marnie) some recommendations were made, that are based on both practitioner judgement of situations and evidence via the literature and research. Let’s now look at some approaches that identify effective parenting outcomes. Much will depend upon the specific age of the teenager, as to what emotional input may be needed from their parent... »
Marnie is a 16 year old girl (an only child) who attends a local private girls school in the city. Marnie is always at the top of her class and her report cards are exemplary. Marnie is actively involved with music, drama and dancing in and out of school all of which she excels at. Over the past couple of years Marnie has taken a much greater interest in her looks and how she dresses. She has star... »
Aaron is a 15 year old boy who attends a local public high school in an industrialised area of the city. He lives with his mum, dad and two brothers, Will aged 9 and Brad aged 11 years. Aaron has recently been in trouble with the law (a year ago), having stolen some goods from the local bike shop but was let off as this was his first offence and he had previously been of good behaviour. Aaron has ... »
Given that the research literature have identified that problems associated with youth such as, anorexia and bulimia, bullying and other acting out behaviours, substance misuse, marginalisation of certain groups of people in communities, abuse, self-harm and suicide are significant, what do parents go through in attempting to care for their early adolescent child or children? »
Now that we’ve covered suicide prevention, there are other problems often associated with youth that are a bit more intractable. Eating disorders tend to fall into this category especially amongst adolescent girls. According to Gillis (2000, cited in McMurray, 2003, 147): ‘Adolescents’ images of themselves are embedded in the way they see their own bodies, leading some to excessi... »
The literature clearly point to the fact that there are certain factors that protect youth or build resilience in youth against suicide. According to Fuller, McGraw and Goodyear (cited in Rowling, Martin & Walker, 2001, 85-86): »
In the preceding discussion it was established to some extent that social and community values, attitudes and beliefs have a major impact on the way that adolescent children are portrayed and how parents are also portrayed. Even so there is still a lot of contradictory evidence out there (Eckersley in Rowling, Martin & Walker, 2001, 73) about the perception of youth – their own views ver... »
There are so many possible situations that it would be difficult to even briefly describe them here. ‘Problem’ adolescents may have a variety of different health and learning related needs, problems or issues. The most significant sorts of problems for parents and their children during early to mid adolescence relate to differences in the way the world is perceived and ways of coping w... »
“Youth is not a time of life – it is a state of mind. It is not a matter of red cheeks, red lips and supple knees. It is a temper of the will; a quality of the imagination; vigor (sic.) of the emotions; it is a freshness of the deep springs of life.” (Samuel Ullman) »
A client comes to you having had to quit work due to a degenerative visual impairment. He has a 3 year-old child and his wife is expecting another baby. His sight may continue to deteriorate or it may remain at the current level. He is suffering stress, feelings of grief and loss and anxiety about the future. »
What happens for children when their parents separate? Children can react very differently to separation or divorce. The way they react depends on a number of things, but two important factors are the age of the child and the degree of conflict and animosity between the parents. There is no doubt this is a stressful period for children, but most recover and end up leading normal healthy lives. »
You have been counselling a family for 2 months and you have reached the end of your program with them. Both the mother and father are satisfied with the outcomes of the therapy, however their teenage son would like to continue to see you. He has specified that he would like to continue therapy about some of his own issues, but not in the presence of his mother and father. The son is aged 16. »
Steve and Jan have come to counselling regarding their 5 year old daughter, Kim who screams when she doesn’t get her own way. She is starting school next year and her parents are concerned with how she is going to fit in and what will happen if she doesn’t get her own way. »
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