• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Why It’s Good to Argue With Your Teenager

January 28, 2013 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

Does your child seem to bust out the debate skills of a young Aristotle during battles over things like curfew or homework?

While the constant arguing can be enough to drive a parent crazy, there may be a silver lining.

A new study from the University of Virginia (UVA) has shown that if a young teen can argue effectively with his or her parents they are more likely to resist peer pressure to use drugs or alcohol later in adolescence.

[Read “The 3 Most Common Fights You Have With Your Teenager]

“Basically, our main finding is that the more that these teens are able to openly express their own viewpoints and be assertive … they are more likely to resist peer influence to use drugs and alcohol a few years later,” said Joanna Chango, a clinical psychology graduate student who worked on the study.

Why?

Because what happens in the family is actually a training ground for teens to learn how to negotiate with others, believes Joseph Allen, the study’s lead author.

“What we’re finding is there’s a surprising connection between the two (arguing with parents and resisting peer pressure),” he added. So even though it seems counterintuitive, when parents let their tweens and teens debate, it can actually be a good thing.

However, this doesn’t mean that Mom and Dad have to allow temper tantrums. Instead, parents should be firm, listen to their child’s concerns, and prove that presenting “good reasons… in a moderate way” is more effective than whining or hostile behavior like slamming doors.

What do you think? What’s the most common fight you have with your teenager?

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Hot Topics, Tweens and Teens

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ModernMom Boutique

ModernMom TV

Featured

Third Child

I Want a Third Child, Except, I Really Don’t

Something strange has been happening to me lately:  I keep … [Read More...] about I Want a Third Child, Except, I Really Don’t

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Baby Hair Growth

Baby Hair Growth

diabetes in infants

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes in Infants

How to Bake Thin Sliced Turkey Cutlets

Symptoms of Pregnancy If HCG Injection Is Taken

Do You Have to Refrigerate Glazed Donuts?

Do You Have to Refrigerate Glazed Donuts?

Upper Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy

Upper Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy

pregnancy & tooth pain

Pregnancy & Tooth Pain

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.