Parenting Adolescents

This chapter explores the roles of parents with adolescents. This is a very broad undertaking, since, as we have seen, the period of adolescence is extended in contemporary societies. The long period of adolescence places different demands on parents, at different times. Initially, as the child experiences puberty space has to be made for this new factor, allowing the child to become adolescent. Parenting a 13-year-old is very different from parenting a 19-year-old, or a 24-year-old. The 24-year-old nonetheless may be living at home and be partly dependent on parents financially. Young people, usually after around 18, may live away from home and still retain a relationship with parents, in which they are dependent, in varying degrees, financially or emotionally.