Why Are Some Teenagers More Aggressive Than Others-Part I

Aggressive behavior like pushing, shoving, hitting is most common during the infant and toddler years, but some of the most dangerous forms of aggression occur during the teenage years. People often seem to want a simple answer to it. Some blame the parents; others point to the impact of television violence. The answer, though, is much more complicated.

The cause of aggression: According to psychiatrists, the root cause of these violent incidents lies within the aggressive teenagers themselves. Experts say, there is a thin line between aggressive teenage behavior and low morale. Most of the time, it is found that these kids suffer from low self esteem, they often cry out for helping their own particular manner. The teen years are a challenge for most adolescents and their parents, filled with episodes of anger, rebellion and extreme moodiness. As they have immense pressure weighing down on them, often they are unable to cope or express this properly. So they keep their frustrations bottled up inside. This is extremely unhealthy and is the reason why it frequently manifests itself in aggressive behavior.

How to deal with this behavior: We first need to have an idea about what may have triggered off an outburst or action. Anger may be a defence to avoid painful feelings; it may be associated with failure, low self esteem and feelings of isolation; or it may be related to anxiety about situations over which the teenager has no control. If your teenager is quiet and withdrawn, check out for sign of stress. Find out what makes him tick, but remember, do it with tact because teenagers can be very sensitive about being questioned. If they think it’s an interrogation, you’ll find a sullen teen on your hands, ready to divulge absolutely nothing.

Already at an awkward age, they have nobody to confide in as often, both parents are away at work. At school, the competition rate is unbearable and with friends, peer pressure is at its zenith. For teens, anger and sadness are linked, and it is important to remember that much of what adults experience as sadness is expressed by teenagers as anger. Agreed, for an adult, handling a teen’s anger or wooden silence can be puzzling, draining and distressing. But the trick is to try and understand what’s bothering him or her in the first place.

We should help our teenagers develop respect for themselves and others. In my opinion, the cure for a lot of teen problems is simple. Get your teenager to first like himself or herself and that’s the half battle won.

Tackle low self esteem: Low self esteem can be caused by factors like fear of something, anxiety, pent up anger, panic attacks, and lack of assertiveness or depression. In fact, it can be as simple as lack of sleep communication problems or bad eating habits, to serious problems like child abuse, domestic violence or sexual problems. Doctors in this line insist that teenagers suffering from low self esteem or low motivation should be handled with care. Tell your teenager what behaviors please you. Comment positively so that your teenager builds a positive self image. You should also take time out to talk to him like a friend, instead of treating him like a kid. Lastly, don’t shy away from displaying your affection. Sometimes, all an angry teenager needs to regain in control, is a loving hug.