V ' ■ ’ “ • 'V' „ *

'V' „ * ' 'A* . ' “ ' . / ' ' . . ' V'"’ || Otar teen-age Ron is erasing as considerable trouble. He does oof enjoy staying at home os be formerly did bat is continually running , about with the gang. When we targe him to stgy at home he says he ‘ wants to base fun with his friends. What should we dot Permit me to suggest the following: ’ L Accept his behavior as being more or less normal for a boy «f hi* age. * Remember that it is exceedingly important for his own sense of worth that bo | “rate” with his peers. Furthermore, he feels torn by conflicting emotions. In many respects he is a’child, but in others he is maturing rapidly. He is trying to Convince himself that he is grown up and one way to do this is to run around with the gang most of the time rather than to stay at home with his family. 2. Try to be as understanding of him as yon possibly can. It may help to think of your own teens. Did yon not try to break the strings that tied you to your home? Keep in mind, however, the fact that the community and society pat* terns then were not the same as they are now. 3. Don’t scold or nag about what he is doing. I - * i 4 Encourage him to bring his friends to your hofne, but remember that.he will Hot do so unless there is something there to appeal to them. Have available things that adolescents enjoy, inch as records—yes, even jarz—games, and « ping-pong table. When the youngsters come, give them the freedom they crate and let them do what they want to do. Have plenty to eat. __ 5. If he doesn’t respond to your' suggestions and invite his friends in, again, let me urge yon not to nag. Accept the fact that, for a time he will be running 1 around with the gang Inost of the time. ^ Let me urge you, also, to assume that he will do that which he feds to be right when he is out with the gang. Adolescents may not show it, but they an hurt whenjhey find that parents do not trust them.