Troubled Teens are Out of Town (final Prob sol Essay)

Intro: 

             A.Cases of Teenagers running away

           

             B.Possible reasons why teenagers runaway.   

Body:

            Possible Solutions

                        A. Parents' guidance

                        B. Good/Stable family relationship

                        C. Right choice of friends

Conclusion

            A.  Summary

            B. Quotation

Troubled Teens are Out of Town

For most of us, adolescence or teenage years is the most difficult stage in life. School, social and extracurricular activities plus the responsibilities at home can make the average adolescent's life hectic, stressful and overwhelming. It is the stage wherein parents and teenagers are having a hard time understanding each other's views and opinions, as a result, conflict arises between them.

We cannot ignore the fact that the number of cases of teenage runaways is rising worldwide. Most teens that run do not plan it. For example, the Orlando's famous runaway posted by Mail Foreign Service (2009) in Dailymail website state a story that a Muslim teenager, age 17 that time, runaway from their home because she is scared of being punished after she had converted to Christianity. In Muslim perspective converting to Christianity is a capital sin. So she decided to stay in Ohio for the mean time with a pastor she meets only in Facebook prayer group, but the authorities want to send her back to Sri Lanka. Before sending her back, they are trying to make sure that she will be fine after being sent back. In the given example teenagers usually leave on impulse.

There are many reasons why teenagers leave home. They want to escape from family problems. They want freedom; they do not like the strict implemented rules and regulations at home. They are very eager to act like adults, though they lack maturity and experience. Some leave due to neglect. Neglect is the feeling of not being loved and thinking that they will find it from others, outside their homes. Others leave because of abuse, this includes verbal, emotional, physical and sexual. There are many different reasons why teenagers are running away but these can be solved through parents’ guidance, stable family relationship and right choice of friends.

Unquestionably,they want to end a recurrent or on-going painful and unpleasant experience in their life. Some leave because of school bullying, yes this is kind of surprising but true. For example, a story posted by Renee Murphy (2010) in Whass11 news state that a police in Bullitt County found the 2 deaf teenagers ran away from home because they were bullied by their classmates. The 2 teenagers told the police that they were bullied in school because of their impairment and they want to get away from it. Whatever the reasons, these teens are trying to avoid their problems.

Teenage runaways can be prevented. First and the best way to prevent it is through parent's proper guidance to their teens. Confront trouble signs directly, firmly and calmly. Parents need to discuss their concerns and the consequences of continued unaccountable behaviour without lecturing.

Second, they should have stable family relationships; spend quality time to their teens; listen to them regularly with full attention and be non-judgemental.  Also, they should always be available when they ask for help. Parents should take their concerns seriously, and not dismiss their worries or fears. Beside that, they should establish trust so that they will be sure that their teens will be honest in telling them everything happens in their life, no matter how bad it is. Moreover, they should respect, never interrupt your teenager when trying to explain something even if you disagree. They should wait until their children are done and never dare the children to run away; and never use sarcasm.

Lastly, friends play a major part in teenagers' life. Parents cannot choose their friends but may advice and inculcate to them the importance of choosing the correct circle of friends. This way, parents create opportunities for teens to learn about making positive decisions for their lives and at the same time teach them to be accountable for their actions.

The bottom-line is for parents and children to have proper communication, mutual respect and trust. Parents should make their home a place of safety for their children, both emotionally and physically. A place of trust and support that fulfils their child's needs that may they may never think of running away from home. Remember there is no place like home. And as Dr. Jose Rizal once said, “The youth is the hope of our nation." Let us not waste out future. Protect our youth.