Question

A teenage girl spends most of her free time with friends. In sharing their concerns about this behavior with the school nurse, the parents are worried about their child seeming to draw away from them. What should the nurse respond to the parents?

Answer 1

Adolescents often spend more time with friends than with parents, but this is a normal part of their development and does not mean they are drawing away from their parents. Strong parent-child relationships have been linked to positive outcomes in teenagers. Open communication between teenagers and their parents is important.

Step-by-step explanation:

Adolescence is a period of transition where teenagers try to establish their own identities and become more independent from their parents. As a result, it is common for teenagers to spend most of their free time with friends rather than with their parents. This is a normal part of their development and does not necessarily mean that they are drawing away from their parents.

Research has shown that despite spending less time with their parents, most teenagers still have positive feelings towards them. Strong and healthy parent-child relationships have been associated with better academic performance and fewer behavioral problems in teenagers.

While it can be concerning for parents to see their child spending more time with friends, it is important for the nurse to reassure them that this is a normal part of adolescence. Encourage open communication between the teenager and their parents to maintain a strong relationship.