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Why Do Teens Disrespect Parents?
Teenagers disrespect parents because they are allowed to do it and because parents disrespect their teens. We first have to be respectful if we want respect. When parents allow their teens to disrespect them it becomes a learned behavior over time. Ironically parents achieve respect by "being THE parents" and disciplining with love. Scripture tells parents not to 'exasperate' their children but to discipline them and instruct them in the Lord. But I feel many teenagers feel frustrated and confused with their parents simply because some parents aren't doing what they say, or disciplining incorrectly, or not staying consistent, or rejecting their teenagers self expression. That's because these things DO NOT come from the Lord but from our own understanding of how we think we should parent our children. But sometimes that only confuses and embitters them. "Fathers do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) We are bringing up our children in the training and understanding of what we think is right. But whatever happened to the Lord's instruction for us as parents? As Christians we have responsibilities to our children and that is to do right by them in the training and instruction of the Lord, and not by our own understanding. "In All Your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:6) |