Teens: What Makes Them Tick?

Teenage Entrepreneur (03:42)
A teen girl runs a successful clothing business for teenagers. Her designs are "fearless," a result of her youthful optimism and self-confidence. Experts note that teens have more passion, energy, and imagination than most adults.

Teens and Adults: Brain Centers for Creativity (02:18)

Brain imaging done at Harvard indicates that teen and adult brains are significantly different. Adults tend to use the rational, thinking part of the brain whereas teens tend to use the amydala portion of their brains for creative expression.

Teens, Passion, and Achievements (03:26)

Teens like Venus Williams and NBA's Al Harrington set athletic records; each one practiced twelve or more hours a day.

Teen Energy: For Bad or Good (02:39)

Blood delivers oxygen to teens' cells more efficiently than in adults. Males peak at ages 17-20 and females between ages 13-15. Teens commit three times as many crimes as adults. Teen passion can be turned to bad ends or good ones.

Classifications of Teen Types (03:30)

A research team observed what teens like and dislike for 16 years and have come to several conclusions. Teens fall into four categories: "influencers," "conformers," "passives," and the "edge kids" who set the trends.

Teenagers: Breaking Away from Parents (03:45)

Teens often act like peacocks who parade their looks, or they can be like chameleons. They must break away from the older generation, but often take risks in doing so. Teens are more creative and involved less in critical thinking.

Teenagers Lack Good Judgment (03:32)

Teens, especially younger ones, do not see all things as adults do. They have difficulty judging emotional stats of other people. They may not have the critical thinking capabilities that adults expect them to have.

Teenagers: Non-Critical Thinkers (03:24)

Teens' inability to think critically puts them in risky situations that they may lie about. Parents do not trust their teens, but when teens tell the truth, their parents may react negatively. The more rules parents set, the more teenagers are forced to lie.

Parental Control and Rules (03:38)

Parents treat their teens like small children, but teens do not accept parental control. Parents should not make rules for things they cannot control. Fighting over small things like cleaning a room is not as essential as forming good relationships.

Teens Resent Parental control (03:14)

Teens have a natural aversion to parental control that places too many rules on them. Most teens have more satisfactory relationships with their friends than with parents. Teens hate listening to lectures from their parents.

Parent/Teen Relations (03:12)

Instead of lecturing, parents should ask questions and listen to their teens. When teens talk first and parents listen, parents earn the right to tell their teens what they think and feel. Deep down, teens want love and acceptance from parents.

What Makes Parents Successful at Raising Teens? (02:44)

Teens would like parents to set more limits and become more involved in their lives. Experts advise parents to "catch your child doing something right." Parents know they are successful when their teens tell them "everything."