The Need for Adolescent Mentoring

Although adolescent mentoring isn't always popular among parents, there is a growing need among teens for relationships with adults outside the family circle. This is true not only because of the developmental stage that teens are in - teens are beginning to find their own sense of self and pull away from the family to do so - but for many other reasons. This article will discuss the need for adolescent mentoring and the benefits that come with it.

During adolescence, teens are faced with a wide number of challenges. They may experience symptoms of mental illness, experiment with drugs and alcohol, question their sexual orientation, go through a significant heartbreak, and more. Because of these challenges and the potential dangers they bring, teens could use the support of an adult relationship. Some parents may fear that that relationship may take the place of their role in the child's life. However, in many cases, the opposite is often true. An adult in a person's life can help facilitate a teen's independence, confidence, resilience, and strength. In turn, this can support a teen's ability to have positive relationships, including with their parents.

In the past, adolescent mentoring may have been easily found through neighbors, teachers, and extended family. However, the lifestyle has changed for many Americans. For instance, sadly, in many homes, parents are raising children on their own. Because of the work obligations of single parents, teens may not have the opportunity to spend very much time with their parents. Also, it's common for families to move away from extended relatives like grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins who might have naturally served as a mentor and guide in a teen's life. Instead, teens are looking at their friends and the media for guidance. And often these sources are not healthy or lead a teen down a destructive path.

In other cases, some ethnic families move into culturally mixed neighborhoods but where segregation may still exist, leaving a teen feeling isolated and unable to make friends in their community. At times, neighbors might have also served as a guide or mentor for a teen. Even teachers may not be able to be a guide or mentor because of the increased responsibilities of their profession.

In summary, the following list expresses the need for mentoring in a teen's life:

• Work obligations of single parents and little time to spend time with their teens.
• A teen's distance from their extended relatives who might have served as a mentor.
• Inability for teens to find friendships and mentors in neighborhoods that are segregated.
• Inability for teens to receive guidance and mentoring from teachers.

For all these reasons, more and more organizations are providing adolescent mentoring as means to provide support to teens. And research shows that adolescent mentoring can provide a significant boost to a teen's emotional and psychological well being. When teens feel supported, have a guide that can lead them through the challenges of adolescence, and feel seen and understood by others, they are more likely to succeed academically and professionally.