TRADITION VERSUS CHANGE AND YOUR TEEN

I just finished watching the play "Fiddler on the Roof." The theme of tradition versus change is a major consideration in this play. Watching how young adults navigated their struggle of how to follow their hearts and not follow tradition made me think of the changes our teens will face. Tradition is important. Family and religious traditions keep you anchored during the storms of life. So how do you help your teen evaluate when to follow his heart and when to follow tradition? Teaching traditions to your teen will help him learn important values and coping skills. Teach critical thinking skills as well so that your teen can balance between tradition and new data he encounters. I read a statement today that gives me pause to think: Goodness without knowledge is weak....but Knowledge without goodness is dangerous. I think that following traditions without understanding where they came from and how they help us is a bit like having goodness without knowledge. Having a clear understanding of his family and religious traditions will help your teen when he has to make choices regarding tradition and change.Dr. Debra