Parenting adolescent girls

A new book by 3AW Mornings program psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg and co-author Elly Robinson explores the issues surrounding adolescent girls in 2017. 

A survey conducted by Mission Australia found the top 3 problems facing adolescent girls were – coping with stress, coping with school and body image.

Since 2006, suicide rates amongst young women has doubled. Carr-Greg said the risk-factors facing young women growing up in 2017 have increased 9-fold.

‘Risk-factors like hitting puberty earlier, social-media, parents who are time poor, too busy, and a type of parenting, permissive parenting’ are all contributing factors he said.

Some tips for parenting in 2017:

– Get online and check out how social media works, have your children show you. What to look out for and how to stay safe online.

– Choose your battleground. Fight over things that matter like health and well-being opposed to things like a messy room.

– Keep the lines of communication open in regards to anything they want to talk about.

– The most important thing is to stay calm. 

For crisis or suicide prevention support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit: www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp – Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 – www.kidshelpline.com.au 

Click PLAY to hear the full discussion.