The perils of using scare tactics with teenagers

One mistake many parents of teenage kids make is using scare tactics when communicating with them. Scare tactics entails presenting the worst possible outcome, often deadly consequences that could arise from following a particular course of action.

Experience proves that scare tactics rarely work on teenagers for the simple fact that teenagers are yet to come to terms with the realities of life, and they would not understand the gravity or consequences of what the parents are trying to scare them with. It could also happen that they would brush it off thinking that such an eventuality could happen to others but not to “us.” Using scare tactics can on the contrary backfire, with the parent loosing the respect of the teenage child, and the tactic loosing creditability, nullifying its potential usage later on.

Experts in the field opine that communication with the teenagers will lead the desired results if message dwells in the present here and now, and incorporates clear, specific and concrete information. For this it is important to listen to what the teenage child has to say first actively and then respond to their concerns. The communication should always be based on the predefined rules, regulations, and limitations that has been clearly communicated to the child.