Some people have commented to me that they think spirituality and adolescence is mutually exclusive. I actually have to disagree with that thought. Teenagers are working developmentally on their identity. And a crucial part of figuring out who you are involves a look at your spirituality.
Adolescence is a time in which abstract thinking - being able to think about concepts that you can not experience with the senses- begins to flourish. Your teenager may question the faith tradition that he/she has experienced as part of your family. Think of this as an opportunity to teach your teen why you believe as you do instead of feeling that your teen is challenging you about your faith. This is a good time to talk about the most important concepts of your faith tradition. One of those concepts may include family tradition. If your family is one in which ministers, missionaries, priests populate the landscape, be prepared to talk with your teen about why his uncle or aunt or other family member became a minister.
When we look at spirituality and mental health, data supports that people who have a faith tradition that they practice actually are happier than those who do not. Surprising? I don't think so.
Think about it - faith, peace, grace, love, joy, salvation, hope - I think most of us would agree that these are essential elements of our lives. Don't we want our teens to experience these?
Take the opportunity when your teen "tests the waters" of faith in your household to show him/her the best your faith tradition offers.
Earlier I talked about transitions in life. If you can give your teen a good grasp of faith concepts, you have given him a tool that will stand him in good stead throughout his life.
Debra Atkisson Kowalski, M.D.
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