Commentary; Posted: 3/21/07
Efforts by state to assist parents, students can be successful
Joe Nathan
Education Columnist
Legislators are listening to families asking for help with their teenagers. Bills in Minnesota’s House and Senate follow up on what more than 40 readers statewide urged last fall – new programs, based in part on early childhood, family education, that bring together families and experts on adolescence, to discuss effective adolescent parenting.
The bills are House File 2025, and Senate File 1770.
Here’s what a Forest Lake parent wrote about this idea: “My oldest is 10 1/2... already I wonder how I am going to get the support I need to be raising healthy happy teenagers, as it is already hard. I think having something like this in our community would be a wonderful asset.
A North Branch area person commented: “Personally, I think it would be great. I am on a Youth at Risk Chisago County Committee, work with special needs teens and teen mentors ...and talk with lots of parents about stuff. What I find is that lots of adults are afraid of teens. We have to put an end to this, so we can have communication and relationships.”
A Princeton area parent wrote: “I could not get to the computer fast enough to let you know what a great idea you have about help for parents of teens. We have a 13 and 15 year old and my husband and I feel lost as how to treat a variety of different situations with them. I can’t think of a better way then to have support classes for parents like us.”
An Elk River parent wrote, “I have a 15 year old daughter and a 10 year old daughter. I would love a class to help us all through this fascinating but often frustrating time.”
I could fill three or four columns with comments like this.
Research carried out this spring by four Humphrey Institute students with whom I’m working confirms what these parents are saying. Angie Anderson, Nicole Hoplin, Carla Pulles and Sarah Roberts found, among other things, that:
“Researchers are now concluding that adolescence is as important as early years. During adolescence, a child experiences profound brain growth and change, physical change, school transitions and transformation in the child-parent relationship.”
“Most adolescents do not wish to completely separate from their parents, but desire greater control over their own lives and personal decision-making... Parents must tread a fine line with regard to adolescent autonomy.”
Their research shows that giving adolescents too much or too little autonomy can produce big problems.
So legislators are suggesting pilot programs be created in four Minnesota communities. They would bring together educators, community groups and families.
If you want to express an opinion on these bills, you might want to let your local legislators know, as well as the chief authors, Rep.Mindy.Greiling@house.mn and Sen.Patricia.Torres.Ray@senate.mn
Yes, adolescents can be fascinating and frustrating. A new program can help teens and their families understand and succeed in this challenging time.
Joe Nathan, a former public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change, Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota jnathan@hhh.umn.edu.
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