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Give Parents A Chance

Perhaps one of the most frequent complaints of teens is that their parents do not understand them. This indictment usually centers on a parent’s established line of accountability that a teen doesn’t want to observe.

But are parents really that ignorant of what their kids are feeling? Are they so far off base that their kids are falling into unhealthy depths of confusion and despair? Was the teen life of parents so easy that they cannot fathom the enormous pressure that today’s teen face?

Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived said, "The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun Ecclesiastes 1:9. In other words, things may not be as new as you think. Yes, there are cell phones, computers, MP3’s and quicker cooler ways of doing things, but in general these conveniences only get youth into more trouble. There is simply no quick road to maturity.

Take a look around you. There is a lot of violence in schools. But that doesn’t mean that schools were safe when your parents attended. I can remember friends who lost their lives to school violence, and others who suffered serious injuries. There was also alcohol, drugs and all kinds of sexual pressure.

Basically, the choice of right and wrong has been here since the beginning of time. In every generation, both right and wrong decisions are made. The truth is that God knows every possible temptation that we will face, and makes a way of escape for us (see 1 Corinthians 10:13).

Listen. Parents aren’t as ignorant of your problems as you may think. I assure you that they know more about you than you give them credit for. Unfortunately, that is a disadvantage to you. Teens claim parents don’t understand them, when in fact, teens are the one who don’t understand their parents.

God gave us parents to protect us and to show us the right way to live. They may not always do everything right, but most of the time, they are pretty much on target. At the very least, they have your best interest at heart. Give them a chance. Ask them for help and respect and follow their advice. Tell them what’s bothering you and why you’re hurting inside.

I believe you’ll find out that they have been through many of the same things you are going through. They understand you a lot more than you think.

By: Edmund Brown