ABSTRACT
This chapter explores what teenagers need, and how parents can use their authority wisely. The way in which parents exercise authority will have a fundamental impact on family relationships during the teenage years. The research on parenting styles has shown that there is one style that leads to the best outcomes for young people. This style is known as the "authoritative" parenting style, because the parent is warm and loving, but also firm when necessary. In talking about parenting styles it is important to keep in mind that there will be two parents involved, and they may not have the same approach to parenting. Indeed it is inevitable that two adults in a parenting role will disagree at times. There are many ways that teenagers can be disobedient. These may not always involve direct confrontation, but can include disrespectful behaviour, lying and secrecy, pretence of not having understood the rules, temper tantrums, and obstructive behaviour.
