Problems of Age Differences Between Teenagers
Earlier Drinking, Sexual Activity and Other Teen Behaviors Linked
May 28, 2009
Although adolescence is often thought of as one broad period of development, small individual steps are taking place along with peer paced markers. In other words, a 14-year-old is much more likely to exhibit developmental markers, including emotional development and risk behavior, as another 14-year-old rather than an 18-year-old.
The school systems are designed to take advantage of the changes that take place within adolescent development. Most freshmen are 15, while most seniors are likely to be 18. A flag that something is out of place often goes up instinctively if one encounters an 18-year-old high school freshman.
Problems Teenagers Face When They Have Older Friends
Parents are likely to face some issues, though, outside of the educational institutions. Peer groups of teenagers are often to be mixed with one or two members who are either older or younger than the teenager. These peers can be troublesome in areas of sexual activity, drinking and risk-taking.
Freya L. Sonenstein in "Levels of Sexual Activity Among Adolescent Males in the United States" [Family Planning Perspectives, 1992] found that adolescent males have increasing sexual drives and sexual activity that corresponds to their ages. Parents of freshman daughters who are dating senior boys are more likely to be involved in issues of teen pregnancy and birth control concerns than parents of daughters dating same age boys.
In Pamela J. Bachanas' "Psychological Adjustment, Substance Use, HIV Knowledge, and Risky Sexual Behavior in At-Risk Minority Females: Developmental Differences During Adolescence" [Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 2002] goes on to show differences in risk taking behavior in a number of areas including HIV transmission to alcohol and drug use.
Actions for Parents to Take When Teenagers Have Older Friends
By considering research by Sonenstein, Bahanas', et al; some conclusions come to light in steps parents should consider taking with their teenagers when it comes to having older and younger friends.
- Parents should explore with their teenager the source of the origination of the friendship with the older or younger friend.
- Parents should be on alert should a dating relationship develop between teenagers of two or years of more of age. The older teenager will be more likely to expect higher levels of sexual activity.
- Parents should restate alcohol and drug use prohibitions frequently and consider extra monitoring of teenagers who have friends two years or older than the teenager.
- Parents should contact the parents of a teenager who is two or more year older than their son or daughter, introduce themselves and explain their concerns about the relationship.
- High monitoring of teenagers is always a good idea, especially when teenagers are with other teenagers two or more years of age older.
- Parents should encourage same-age peer friendships and relationships. Teenagers within one year in age of each other are very likely to reflect similar values.
- Parents may be more assured of structured mentoring relationships sanctioned by Houses of Faith or educational institutions. However, contacting the older teenager's parents to verify the relationship is still reasonable.
During adolescence, teenagers are likely to form friendships with older or younger teens as course of life. However, the majority of the teenager's peer group should be made up of other teenagers within two years of the same age. If a teenager consistently has a majority of older peers, parents should take time to investigate the reasons behind the relationship given the research showing differences and risks.
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