Rebellion In Adolescence: Why It Appears And What To Do
Whether because we have experienced it in our time or because we have children or relatives at that moment of development, the majority of the population already knows that the stage of adolescence is a complicated stage to live through. It is common that during this period of development and maturation, quarrels, arguments or even conflicts appear in the relationship between parents and children, or between adolescents and adults in general. Rebellion in adolescence It is one of the main points that can make contact between the youngest and adults difficult.
But although it can sometimes be frustrating for both “sides”, it is not something strange or bad: a large majority of people have at some point had some type of rebellious and defiant phase towards what is established, which is not only common but also healthy. for the development of one’s own identity. In this article we are going to talk briefly about what this phase of rebellion means or why it appears and how to react to it in education and family context
The first thing we have to take into account when talking about adolescence is the fact that, regardless of whether rebellion occurs or not, we are facing a complicated and strange time. Adolescence is the most relevant period of maturation and growth of our development, this stage being the step towards adulthood from childhood and lasting approximately between eleven and twenty years of age.
During adolescence, puberty arrives and the body begins to undergo an accelerated transformation. Sexual characteristics appear, our voice changes, our size and strength increases greatly and great hormonal changes occur that alter our mood and behavior
At the same time, the childhood stage begins to be left behind and increasingly complicated, more adult demands from society begin to appear. A certain responsibility for one’s own actions is beginning to be demanded and more and more importance is beginning to be given to social relationships.
Parents stop seeing themselves as perfect beings and you begin to see their limitations and the differences between them and the adolescent, despite the fact that they continue to be dependent on them. A certain distancing from the family generally occurs and friends begin to focus the attention and preference of the future adult.
Thinking also changes, both as an effect of brain maturation changes and due to the psychosocial changes derived from them. It will be during the course of adolescence that a large part of the executive functions are developed such as the ability to plan, goal orientation, initiation of control and inhibition of behavior, organization of one’s own activity or mental flexibility.
It is also a stage of exploration : In addition to all of the above, new possibilities are opening up and greater openness and search for experiences appear. Likewise, little by little, identity will be generated as different behavioral patterns are explored and the core values ​​that will guide our behavior are selected.
Taking all this into account, adolescence can be very distressing and generate great tension in those who suffer it, and they may react with certain hostility and it is common for a certain rebellion to appear.
Rebellion in adolescents: why does it happen?
Observing the previous point, we can identify and take into account some of the reasons why rebellion may appear in adolescents. Some of them are explained below.
1. Biological and hormonal changes
Part of the rebellion present in adolescents has a biological origin (although this should not serve as a justification for undesirable behavior). On the one hand, the brain and especially the frontal lobe and especially the prefrontal are not yet fully developed, this being the main biological substrate that allows the development of abilities such as response inhibition ability control and management capacity or motivation and goal orientation.
It also highlights the fact that the brain of a teenager is much more sensitive to the stimulation of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, something that promotes experimentation and the search for pleasurable sensations (being something that favors, for example, the taking of risky and dangerous attitudes for own health).
In addition to this, we must also take into account the presence of hormonal changes : Testosterone is associated, for example, with an increase in competitiveness and aggressiveness, while hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle (which appear during puberty) can more easily generate irritability and changes in mood.
2. Egocentric thinking
Another reason for adolescent rebellion is the assumption of egocentric thinking typical of the age: the adolescent believes himself to be invulnerable and omnipotent, being excessively confident in their own ideas and presenting biases that diminish the importance of information contrary to them.
It is more complex to detect and accept the existence of alternative visions of reality that are equally valid (although they may be opposite), considering them false or wrong.
3. Search for autonomy and creation of identity
Another of the main causes of rebellion is the search for autonomy and the creation of personal identity. The adolescent is at a stage where you need to experiment in order to determine who you are performing different behaviors and observing whether or not they adjust to their values ​​and preferences or the effects they have.
Rebellion can also be a search for autonomy, an attempt to be recognized by authority figures not as a child or in a submissive role but as an active and independent agent. You may be asking for a reduction of the limits that have existed until now or trying to see yourself as an independent subject.
Although the rebellion It is often seen as frustrating or as a response to an unrecognized authority the truth is that the rebellious adolescent may also be asking for limits to be set that indicate what is right or wrong, how far he can go or what is expected of him.
5. Confusion about changes and demands
We have already indicated that the adolescent is immersed in a stage of continuous changes and contradictions: he is not a child but he is not an adult, he is required to have responsibilities that until now did not exist and although he wants autonomy he also continues to want the affection of the family environment.
It is also common that they do not know where to direct their efforts, something that can cause great frustration Likewise, adolescents tend to feel misunderstood, as their experience is not shared by others in the same way or with the same intensity. Rebellion can also appear as a response of frustration in the face of these contradictions and sensations.
6. Interpersonal and social conflicts
During adolescence, it is common for different interpersonal conflicts to appear. It is the stage in which friendships are more important, displacing the family as the focus of affection, and also in which the first relationships begin to occur. In addition academic life becomes more demanding , which can lead to frustrations. All of this can have an effect on the adolescent, with rebellion appearing as a means of escape or emotional ventilation.
7. More severe problems
The phenomena discussed so far are normative, but we cannot ignore the possibility that rebellion or irritability may appear in response to aversive or painful situations which are not the usual ones. For example, the experience of bullying, substance abuse, abuse of some kind or suffering from a mental health problem such as depression.
It can be complicated to relate to a rebellious teenager, but the first thing we have to keep in mind is that with some exceptions, rebellion is actually positive since in the long run it will help them find their own path independently. The fact that there was rebellion It does not mean that you stop loving your surroundings or that he no longer needs his protection.
We must first try to be empathetic and understand the profound changes that the adolescent is undergoing. Fluid communication between environment and adolescent It is also very important. It’s not about forcing him to talk if he really doesn’t want to, but rather showing that he is willing to listen. Sharing one’s own experience can also be useful (all adults have gone through adolescence, after all) when it comes to having some kind of role model, although unsolicited advice is generally not useful. well received.
And almost more important than talking is listening, and it is important that the minor feels heard. The teenager He is no longer a child and his opinion should be taken into account , in addition to the fact that active listening favors the expression of fears and doubts that other types of attitudes would not allow. Likewise, discussing and valuing opinions regarding different topics can help achieve better mutual understanding.
Another aspect to take into account is the social environment in which the minor moves. As we have seen previously Friendships have become one of the most important influences being relevant to favor (without forcing) positive environments and analyze problems such as bullying.
We must also try not to be authoritarian and respect the freedom and autonomy of the adolescent: in case of disagreement, negotiation can be an optimal way to find a position that both parties like. Banning or unjustified punishment will only generate reactance and possible more marked disobedience. Of course, for rebellion to be good to a certain extent, it should not cross certain limits: obvious disrespect or aggression should not be tolerated, and negotiating does not mean giving in to everything you want.
