Stories of violent teens are in the news regularly. Violent teens cause problems with their peers, family members, and even with strangers. There is no limit to a violent teen’s capabilities, and as a parent of a violent teen, it can seem overwhelming to be on the receiving end of their violence. These troubled teens commit random acts of violence as well as cold, calculated serious crimes, including murder. There have been numerous school shootings and problems with kids carrying guns to school threatening other students. It seems as if there is nothing off limits now for teens expressing their anger and acting out in violence.

Causes of Teen Violence

There are endless possibilities for causes of teen violence, including racism, drugs and alcohol, taunting and teasing, or a disadvantaged home life. Mental and chemical imbalances can also play a role in teen violence. Teens are frustrated and feel that they aren’t understood. It is irrelevant to them that, as parents, you were once teens too. In many ways, the difficulty is understandable. There are a lot of pressures put on teens: They have to get good grades; they have the pressures to fit in with friends and class mates. Teens have relationship issues. Depression can also play a part with violent teens. Many teens just don’t know where to turn for help with their overwhelming emotions.

Accepting the Reality of the Situation

We need to realize in our society that violent teens are a real threat. We have to stop underestimating the feelings and abilities of violent teens. Parents and other authoritative figures in a teen’s life must stay aware and not ignore warning signs. As exposure to violence has increased, so has teen violence. Teens act out to express feelings that they otherwise don’t know how to articulate. We have to help teens find words to express the way they feel to decrease the chances that they will act out their feelings in violence.

Information and Education

As parents you must take the initiative to educate yourself on the resources available in your community. There are support groups and classes you can take to increase both your knowledge and the knowledge that you are able to impart to your teens. It is not sufficient to simply tell your teens that violence is not an acceptable way to express feelings. You have to give them the tools and resources that will ensure their success. As much as you need to encourage the use of appropriate coping skills, it also has to be made clear that violence will simply not be tolerated. The earlier in life this idea is introduced and enforced will make it that much less likely to prove to be a problem as kids get older and are faced with more difficult situations.

Anger Management Skills

There are several simple ideas that can help diffuse the emotions of violent teens.

• Breathing exercises
• Anger management classes
• Counseling
• Parental support and communication
• Exercise

Parents and caregivers need to partner together to provide the best possible support system for our teens. We have to get our violent teens under control for the safety of our society and the future well being and quality of life for next generations.

Norbert Georget is an accomplished professional speaker, teen motivator, parenting expert and author of the book, No-Nonsense Parenting For Today’s Teenager – How To Feel Like A Good Parent Even When Your Teenager Hates You. You may get a FREE REPORT called No-Nonsense Parenting for the Disrespectful Teenager. All the answers you’ll need to deal with your disrespectful teenager.