71 Have you ever done something to please your parents? Explain more is better in your own words. PARENTAL AND ACADEMIC PRESSURE Although the majority of teenagers seem happy-golucky and easy going, most of them are subjected to a complex network of potentially explosive pressures. Pressure may come from parents, teachers, and peers. Causes of pressure Involvement and compensation. It is normal and natural for parents to want the best for their children and do everything possible to prepare them for life. However, sometimes this pushes children into activities that satisfy the parents needs but not the children s. This is particularly true for academic pressure, especially when teenagers have to choose a new school. When parents have unsatisfied needs from their own childhoods, they often overcompensate or are overinvolved in their children s life. Need to please. Teenagers want to be loved by their parents, please their teachers, and be accepted by the people they respect; for this reason, they might decide to play an instrument, do a sport, or take courses they do not particularly like because they know that their model adults will be proud of them and do not want to disappoint their expectations. Consequences of pressure When there is too much pressure on teenagers, it may overwhelm their nervous systems, causing them to develop anxiety disorders, which may lead to other dysfunctional behaviour and mental health issues. These teenagers may turn their anger and pain inward and develop depression. For this reason, there is a high rate of burnout among young teenagers in sports and in certain types of schools. Possible solutions Parents should see their children as they really are, help them understand what makes them happy, and support them. They should be role models, showing how to follow one s own passions and do what one likes doing. There is a belief in modern society that more is better , but this isn t always true and having children involved in too many activities might not be the best thing for them. As for teachers, it is their task to make their students understand that their judgment is on their performance and not on the individual. happy-go-lucky: spensierato mark: voto to overwhelm: sopraffare school report: pagella 148 ADOLESCENTS