Why Do Teenagers Often Keep Privacy From Their Parents?

JAKARTA - Wanting to have privacy is a natural act when it comes to growing up. In fact, having privacy is necessary for teens so they can learn about autonomy and individuality. As a parent, of course it is not easy to let go of the desire to continue to supervise the child. However, giving children more freedom is important. In helping them grow and develop the skills they will need as adults.

As children grow, they naturally want more responsibility and independence. They want to be trusted to do more than they did when they were little and are happy to be considered adults. Also, your teen wants their parents to be able to respect their opinions and wishes.

Launching Very Well Family, Wednesday, January 25, Angela Lamson, PhD, LMFT, a family therapist in Greenville, North Carolina stated that there are at least four things that cause teenagers to keep their privacy from their parents. These are;

As teenagers get older, they face big challenges. Such as finding identity, determining what is suitable and not for them, and what they want to do in life. Their brains are also developing rapidly. Thinking skills, social interests, and a romantic life are certainly wider in scope. And all these things will be difficult for children to learn if parents do not provide privacy.

Also remember that at this age teenagers also experience rapid physical changes. So, it is important to maintain politeness in the presence of parents. A child who used to have no problem changing clothes in front of his parents. Now that you're a teenager, you may feel more comfortable getting changed indoors alone.

In addition, they also tend to lock the bedroom or bathroom door to ensure parents understand privacy. No need to be discouraged if your child behaves like this because this is a normal part of growing up as a teenager.

When teenagers are given privacy, it means that parents are helping their children to become more independent as well as building their self-confidence. As a parent, try to strike a balance between knowing what your child is doing, trusting their activity, and knowing when to step in.

When children feel their privacy is being taken away by their parents, then be prepared to face conflicts as often as possible. Children will feel that their parents still judge them as small children if they are not given trust.

Keep in mind, giving privacy to children is not the same as freeing every behavior. Even presenting too much space and time without supervision can cause problems later on. Therefore, find a way to balance your child's need for privacy and your own in ensuring the safety and security of the child.