Consider The Following Scenario You Are A Working Single Par

Consider The Following Scenarioyou Are A Working Single Parent Of a 1

Consider the following scenario: You are a working single parent of a 16-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. Your son has an 11 PM curfew on weekends, but recently, he has been ignoring curfew and coming home after midnight. When you try to address this with him, he either ignores you or gets angry and starts screaming at you. When he's at home, he tends to shut himself away in his room. His latest report card shows that his grades are slipping. You are getting very concerned, but you work full-time and parent by yourself, so you are getting frustrated as well. At the same time, your daughter has been telling you that she doesn't feel well and doesn't want to go to school. After some prodding, she shared that she has been getting teased at school and bullied online. After reviewing the learning resources for this week, come up with a strategy for dealing with your children that is supported by the literature on adolescent discipline. What are some of the things that you need to take into consideration? What actions would you implement to try and address the problematic behaviors you are witnessing? What actions would you avoid? For this discussion, an excellent response will be well written and at least 2-3 paragraphs in length, incorporating at least 3 of the learning resources provided. You may also include other resources that you find outside of the classroom. Remember to use in-text citations and a reference list to identify the ideas that you learned from your sources. Any idea that came from something you read must be cited.

Paper For Above instruction

Managing adolescent behaviors, especially in single-parent households, requires a nuanced understanding of developmental needs, communication strategies, and behavioral boundaries. In the case of the 16-year-old son who has been disregarding his curfew, it is essential to approach the situation with empathy while maintaining clear limits. According to Steinberg (2014), adolescent autonomy increases with age, but boundaries still serve as important guiding structures. Rather than reacting punitively or through hostility, it is advisable to have an open, respectful conversation about the reasons for the curfew and the importance of trust and safety. This can help the adolescent feel heard and understood, reducing resistance and defiance. Demonstrating consistent enforcement of rules combined with empathetic dialogue can foster a sense of security and promote responsible behavior.

Similarly, addressing the daughter’s experience with bullying and teasing requires a supportive yet proactive approach. Literature suggests that validation and open communication about peer interactions can significantly alleviate feelings of isolation and fear (Nansel et al., 2001). It is critical to create a safe space where she feels comfortable sharing her feelings without fear of judgment. Interventions could include discussing strategies to handle bullying, such as encouraging her to report incidents to trusted adults and fostering resilience through counseling or peer support groups. It is equally vital to work with her school to address the bullying directly and ensure that she receives appropriate support. Avoiding dismissive responses or minimizing her concerns is crucial, as this can exacerbate her emotional distress (Hawker & Boulton, 2000).

Overall, effective discipline in this scenario involves a mix of setting firm, consistent boundaries, fostering open communication, and providing emotional support. Using a non-authoritarian approach aligned with authoritative parenting—characterized by warmth and clear rules—can help address behavioral issues successfully (Baumrind, 1991). Establishing mutual trust and understanding, while actively involving the children in problem-solving, creates an environment where positive behaviors are encouraged, and emotional well-being is prioritized. Practical strategies include scheduled family meetings to discuss concerns and collaborative development of rules, along with ongoing monitoring and reinforcement of positive behaviors. Such approaches, grounded in adolescent development research, are more likely to yield lasting behavioral improvements and emotional resilience.

References

  • Baumrind, D. (1991). The influence of parenting style on adolescent competence and substance use. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 11(1), 56-95.
  • Hawker, D. S. J., & Boulton, M. J. (2000). Twenty years’ research on peer victimization and psychosocial maladjustment: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 41(4), 441–455.
  • Nansel, T. R., Craig, W., & Smith, D. W. (2001). Bullying behaviors among youth: Incidence and relationship to psychosocial adjustment. Journal of Adolescence, 24(4), 531-545.
  • Steinberg, L. (2014). Age of opportunity: Lessons from the new science of adolescence. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.