- Feb 5, 2002
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How to find the right balance between meddling and over-permissiveness.
Adolescence is the age of forming groups and new friendships. It is an essential stage and should be respected: “These friendships allow you to develop your personality, to forge your identity, your self-esteem, in relationship to others,” says Fr. Arthur de Leffe. Identifying with a group, speaking the same language, sharing the same values, these key things have a strong impact on a teenager’s self-confidence. But what kind of friends are we talking about?
There are degrees in friendship — from simple acquaintance to intimate friend. In order to encourage this distinction, before adolescence parents should introduce the criteria for good friendships: respect for others, mutual admiration, the pursuit of good things, etc. Friendship can be a place of creation and growth, but it can also be a place of destruction. “I tell teenagers: on the day after an evening out with friends, if you are not proud of yourself, you know that this friendship is not good,” says Fr. Arthur de Leffe. “It’s up to parents to put young people very early on in places where they will develop beautiful friendships that will free them from unhealthy relationships.”
Continued below.
Should you get involved in your teen's friendships?
Adolescence is the age of forming groups and new friendships. It is an essential stage and should be respected: “These friendships allow you to develop your personality, to forge your identity, your self-esteem, in relationship to others,” says Fr. Arthur de Leffe. Identifying with a group, speaking the same language, sharing the same values, these key things have a strong impact on a teenager’s self-confidence. But what kind of friends are we talking about?
There are degrees in friendship — from simple acquaintance to intimate friend. In order to encourage this distinction, before adolescence parents should introduce the criteria for good friendships: respect for others, mutual admiration, the pursuit of good things, etc. Friendship can be a place of creation and growth, but it can also be a place of destruction. “I tell teenagers: on the day after an evening out with friends, if you are not proud of yourself, you know that this friendship is not good,” says Fr. Arthur de Leffe. “It’s up to parents to put young people very early on in places where they will develop beautiful friendships that will free them from unhealthy relationships.”
Continued below.
Should you get involved in your teen's friendships?
