WHAT TEENS GAIN WHEN THEY CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIAL GROUPS
A Compilation from
Meghan Lynch Forder
Research suggests that adolescents thrive when they can make a meaningful difference in their communities.
Teens can provide emotional and practical support to friends, family, and the broader community in deeper, more meaningful ways. Research suggests that kind and helpful behavior toward others actually increases from childhood through adolescence—making the stereotype of the self-absorbed teen a myth.
In fact, adolescence is a sweet spot for contributing to others. With massive changes happening in teens’ brains, their newfound physical, cognitive, and emotional capabilities combine to enable them to make contributions that have real benefits to the people around them. What’s more, opportunities to make such meaningful contributions appear to build exactly the skills they need to flourish as adults.
Both our teens and their communities will be better off if we help them find ways to make a difference.
HOW TEENS CAN
MAKE MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS
FAMILY
As adolescents grow stronger and more coordinated, with increased cognitive abilities, their roles as family helpers can become more substantial. Adolescents can provide real, meaningful help with jobs like cleaning, cooking, and sibling care.
Contributing to the family has benefits beyond the household. Studies show that young adolescents who participate in family decision making adjust better to junior high school, are more motivated at school, and have higher self-esteem than their peers who don’t have such opportunities. The sense of fulfilling an integral role in a family has been shown to improve teens’ well-being and sense of responsibility. It can even reduce the risky behaviors many of us worry about in our adolescent kids.
Yes, adolescents still need support from their parents. But a big part of what they need is for us to see them as the thoughtful, capable, caring people that they have already become. Adolescents flourish when they have a chance to make significant contributions to their families, friends, schools, and communities.
That’s how they get what they need to thrive as adults whcan make a meaningful difference in the world.
