Adolescence, in depth

On Thursday November 16th Barbara Staggers M.D, from the Oakland Children’s Hospital gave a presentation in the school library about teen health. The presentation drew about fifty people: a mixture of both parents and kids although it is debatable whether the teens were there by choice. The parents in the audience had both current teens and soon-to-be teenagers and had questions about how to deal with the changes their adolescents were going through.

Dr. Staggers, who holds several degrees from U.C. Berkeley, responded to all of the parents’ and teens’ questions with examples she has seen in her career in teen medicine. Dr. Staggers tried to remain inclusive by exploring all possibilities of teen development stating several times that even the strangest cases were “normal.”

One of the topics that created the most discussion was how to draw boundaries with teenagers. Many parents expressed concerns about being too strict with teens and playing “the bad guy.” Dr. Staggers reassured parents by telling them that boundaries are different for each individual family but that regardless parents need to talk with their kids about their expectations and the repercussions for breaking the family rules.

In her presentation Dr. Staggers also tried to have both parents and teens see the trials of adolescents from each other’s point of view. She organized an activity in which half the room had to create a list about why it is great to be a teen and the other half had to create a list about why it is great to be a parent of a teen. This helped to dispel the negative connotations held by each about the other.

Whether it sparked dispute or understanding, Dr. Staggers presentation created an opportunity for parents and teens to communicate.

One Response

1. 8:14 AM on November 29th, 2006deshawn freemen:

   oooo ic

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