My research interviewed therapists and psychologists working in BC with adolescents. Below is a quote from one of the study participants when asked: What is your perception of the adolescent experience of storm and stress?
“Oh, my God! The storm! I would just say, chaos. What is it? Apocalypse. There is internal chaos for that young person and I think there is external chaos, because parents are having to really change the whole perception of their child that has been with them since they were a baby. That child changes every year, but when they hit adolescence, it’s the first time that the parent is no longer sought as an expert in that child’s life. So I think, talk about empty nest. It isn’t empty nest when they leave home, it’s empty nest when they hit adolescence.
And I think when the young person’s stress is lowered, you see a different person. Sometimes a lot of parents will say, I’m sure my child is bipolar. Yes, I think we see glimpses of different personalities in there when they are completely under stress.”
The transition of our children from childhood to adulthood is significant for children and parents alike, for different reasons, and from different perspectives. Our cultures, institutions, and governments have significant support for adults transitioning to parenthood and parents transitioning children into preschool and school, but I have found less support for parents and adolescents (both practical and emotional) for the transition from childhood to adulthood, which leaves many adolescents and parents feeling confused and alone. As I, and the therapists and psychologists I interviewed can attest, you are NOT alone. This is a major transition and one that needs recognition and support.
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