Risk-taking is natural for boys and is part of growing up. Boys should be encouraged to take risks in so far as to challenge themselves and reach their potential. However, dangerous risk-taking behaviours can have serious negative consequences and boys need to be educated about this.
Associate Professor Susan Towns, Head of the Department of Adolescent Medicine at The Children’s Hospital Westmead believes that although we know many things about boys’ neurological development, dangerous risk-taking doesn’t just happen.
Factors including development issues, inadequate parenting support and bullying can all have an impact on a child’s behaviour.
We all have a role to play in supporting and educating our children through adolescence. We know that boys respond particularly well to limits and boundaries.
Here are 5 boundaries that parents can set to help boys through adolescence:
- Curfews – determine expectations about what time your son will be home on any given day of the week.
- Responsibility – assign your son with household chores and establish house rules for the family.
- Awareness – it’s important that parents are on top of all aspects of their son’s life. Know how much money he has access to and who his friends are – it’s a good idea to be introduced to your son’s friends and their families.
- Communication – talk to other parents about their sons’ boundaries and ideas they have on parenting – you are not alone! Further, discuss any concerns you have with your son’s school to ensure you get the support you need.
- Trust – make an agreement with your son that trust is established and rewarded when expectations are met.