What Are The Late Teens?

Late adolescence is a phase of physical, psychological and mental development that occurs between the ages of 16 and 19. However, it can sometimes last until a person is up to 25 years old, in special cases.

It is a phase when young people face new challenges and often rebel as an easy way out. They find that this makes them feel more secure and accepted.

Young people have an intense desire to live their own lives and feel independent. Therefore, they tend to seek away from their parents’ support and even withdraw their attention. As a result, many parents feel that they have been replaced or “fired” from their roles.

There are various factors that affect late adolescence, so remember that things do not just depend on your children.

There are often external difficulties that arise that make it more difficult for children to get through this phase. Many young people, even up to the age of 25, still do not have a job or their own finances that allow them to manage on their own. Even though they are adults, as a result, they are still dependent on their parents.

What are the characteristics of the late teens?

Below is a list of the common characteristics that describe individuals during their late teens.

• Their goal is to achieve independence.
• They are willing to take risks.
• A continuous search for their identity.
• Their humor gets better, as does their social interactions.
• During the late teens, individuals place greater value on their privacy and that we respect their personal space.
• They realize that they should develop a greater coherence between their ideas and actions.
• Young people learn to better accept constructive criticism and control their emotions.
• Their worries about the future increase and motivate them to set goals and action plans for themselves.

• They place greater value on serious relationships and are more open to love and tenderness.
• They begin to set priorities that are more realistic and appropriate to their circumstances. They are also starting to make better decisions.
• During the late teens, young people also begin to gain a different perspective on their surroundings. They have already gone through other stages of growth (and all that that entails) and tested their limits. Now they are starting to reflect a little more on how to act.

How to support young people in a positive way during their late teens

No matter what your relationship with the teenager may be (as a parent, bonus parent, teacher, tutor, etc.), it is important that you have a flexible attitude. Prioritize learning more about how to agree.

Here are some practical suggestions for supporting young people during this phase:

• Build trust and confidence.
• Let them know that they have your support in difficult times.
• Maintain good communication. It is important to be open and honest.
• Being a good role model is always a good idea, even if it may seem unnecessary to someone who is so “adult”.
• Show interest in their ideas and do not judge too quickly. They need to see you as a guide, not a judge.
• Be involved in their school work, interests, hobbies, friendships, etc. in a healthy way.
• Avoid quarreling, having preconceived notions and making comparisons. It does nothing to help your relationship move forward. Instead, it will only create a greater distance.
• Offer tips and advice as long as they ask for it. Trying to control every detail of their lives can make them feel worthless or drive them to rebel.
  
  

Rebellion during the late teens

Although rebellion is not a major factor in late adolescence, it is common. To have a positive impact, we recommend the following:

• Agree on boundaries and consequences in advance. Avoid handing out penalties “just for the sake of it”.
• Spend quality time as a family. This means that you should establish times to eat together, hang out one night a week, go out and shop together, etc.
• Define rules clearly.
• Mutual respect should be a top priority.
• Be reasonable. Do not try to control every detail of your teen’s life.
• Congratulate your teen when he or she achieves his or her goals. Motivate him or her to move on despite their failures.
• If you need to take action, be sure not to act while you are angry or upset. It is better to wait until you are calm and really understand the situation before taking action.

• Work as a team. Adults must stick together and agree to set boundaries that benefit a young person’s emotional health.
• Avoid questioning the teenager’s mood and attitude.

Adolescence – whether at an early stage, in the middle or at a later stage – is an important step in a person’s development. No one is exempt from this natural process, so it is important for parents to relax a bit.

If you have any doubts, it is always best to ask for help. With the right support, you will be able to prepare your teens to become healthy and responsible adults.