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They come from every race, ethnicity and socioeconomic class…teenagers. Teens like all children test their boundaries. What scares some parents is the way some teens choose to express themselves as they test these boundaries. But it’s not as bad as it seems. Cultural norms of today such as rock and roll, long hair for boys and even girls wearing pants, all started as a form of teenage rebellion.

A teen’s world is very controlled. They are told what to do, what to eat, when to sleep and so on. Education is their main focus and school is their social center. Everything they experience is often as a part of a group. This is especially true in pop culture and fashion trends. They are constantly bombarded by friends, family and media regarding what they should like, music and movies they need to experience and how they are supposed to feel.

Rebellion is a natural response to all the pressure. Rebellion isn’t always a bad thing. Changes in clothes, hairstyle, piercings and musical tastes are normal responses. Rebellion is often just an attempt of teens trying to define themselves.

Unless your teen goes down a path of drugs, alcohol and crime, you should accept the rebellion as a rite of passage. Show you teen you care about them and respect their choices. Encourage their experimentation and try to find common ground. Mostly try to remember when you were that age.