Math, science, language, history - these are all subjects covered in depth in secondary schools. Children learn about nature and physics, about calculus and trigonometry, about novels and poetry in these important formational years of their lives. Their adolescent years are marked by the knowledge they gain in an institution meant to form their minds academically.
There are, however, certain aspects of adolescence that secondary schooling does not cover. While these subjects are not necessarily academic, they are still of utmost importance. And wherever schools may fall short in informing students about them, parents must take the lead.
Two central issues for which parents are responsible are drugs and alcohol. While secondary schools may cover the topics, they often tell kids to "just say no," ending the conversation there. But kids and parents alike no that these issues are not so cut and dried and that there are a variety of answers to the questions they pose.
Parents must speak with teens about drugs and alcohol in a way that acknowledges reality. While there is no need to encourage them to participate in the consumption of these substances, there is a need to recognize their prevalence in society. Parents must set their own guidelines regarding drugs and alcohols, making sure that the lines of communication to do with such subjects are always left wide open.
Another question often answered with a zero-tolerance attitude by secondary schools is sex. Abstinence may be the best option, but it is usually the most realistic. Furthermore, families have different ethical codes that may not include abstinence as the best and only solution. And even family morals do encourage abstinence, teens are not always likely to abide.
Other issues often not dealt with in secondary schools that must be dealt with by parents are not always so obvious. One of the most important is that of goals and dreams. Secondary schools are meant to prepare students for the future, but the future of those students is undefined.
There is no need to force adolescents to make permanent decisions that set the course of their rest of their lives at such a young age. It is, however, important to talk to them about what they imagine for their lives. Parents may be surprised to find out things about their children they'd never imagined - that their jock son would really like to be a veterinarian, that their nerd daughter is not that interested in going to college.
While secondary schools deal with all of these subjects to some extent, they do not do so in a way that is personal. Parents have a much better chance of finding out what it is that teens are seeking and going through in their lives, facilitating a two-way conversation.
There are, however, certain aspects of adolescence that secondary schooling does not cover. While these subjects are not necessarily academic, they are still of utmost importance. And wherever schools may fall short in informing students about them, parents must take the lead.
Two central issues for which parents are responsible are drugs and alcohol. While secondary schools may cover the topics, they often tell kids to "just say no," ending the conversation there. But kids and parents alike no that these issues are not so cut and dried and that there are a variety of answers to the questions they pose.
Parents must speak with teens about drugs and alcohol in a way that acknowledges reality. While there is no need to encourage them to participate in the consumption of these substances, there is a need to recognize their prevalence in society. Parents must set their own guidelines regarding drugs and alcohols, making sure that the lines of communication to do with such subjects are always left wide open.
Another question often answered with a zero-tolerance attitude by secondary schools is sex. Abstinence may be the best option, but it is usually the most realistic. Furthermore, families have different ethical codes that may not include abstinence as the best and only solution. And even family morals do encourage abstinence, teens are not always likely to abide.
Other issues often not dealt with in secondary schools that must be dealt with by parents are not always so obvious. One of the most important is that of goals and dreams. Secondary schools are meant to prepare students for the future, but the future of those students is undefined.
There is no need to force adolescents to make permanent decisions that set the course of their rest of their lives at such a young age. It is, however, important to talk to them about what they imagine for their lives. Parents may be surprised to find out things about their children they'd never imagined - that their jock son would really like to be a veterinarian, that their nerd daughter is not that interested in going to college.
While secondary schools deal with all of these subjects to some extent, they do not do so in a way that is personal. Parents have a much better chance of finding out what it is that teens are seeking and going through in their lives, facilitating a two-way conversation.
About the Author:
Byron Jonas, a Queensland resident searched for english tutoring Gold Coast. At Tutoring Gold Coast, he found professionals who helped his children succeed in high school.
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