A recent survey released by the Search Institute in
Minneapolis found, among other things, that teens are looking for more from
adults in order to develop relationships.
A survey of 1,860 15-year-olds found that while nearly half
the teens identified one or more adults as someone who “really gets”
them, researchers found that many of the relationships teens had with
these adults lacked the necessary depth to offer much support. More than 80% of
teens surveyed had no meaningful relationships with adults beyond their
immediate family.
When surveyed the teens were asked what adults could do more
of to develop positive relationships with them. They nominated the list below
as the top 10.
Courtesy Search Institute
When you read through the list it doesn’t sound like too
much to ask does it? Make eye contact, spend time talking and listening.
Obviously though for many teens finding adults outside the
family to do these things at any meaningful level is proving difficult.
Having adult mentors outside the family home has long been
acknowledged as being important for teens who are distancing themselves from
their parents. Teenagers mentioned teachers, sports coaches, and neighbors, as
adults outside the family who they feel could provide dependable shoulders to
lean on.
How are you going in connecting with the teens your life?
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