Acceptance is required
Young people are in transition
from childhood to adulthood the greatest period of change they have
ever faced and possible ever will. During these years everything they
knew about themselves changes and it can be quite a scary [as
well as exciting] time in fact we often compare adolescence to white
water rafting
Adolescence is about the
emergence, at times traumatic, of a new adult identity, which is continuous
with the identity of the child but contains and opens up many new things.
All people need their identity affirmed, but never more so than at this
fragile stage. Affirmation is saying to a person 'you are valued for
who you are: you are unique and special, and the world is a better place
for your presence
in it. The reverse message says that the planet would be better off
without you. Both can be communicated by words and actions, and both
will be picked up loud and clear by the super-sensitive emotions of
teenagers. Learn to affirm, and purge your life, and those around you
of destructive, sniping criticism.
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