The Specialists Rebellion a Must for an Adolescent

Dr Earl E. Smith, assistant cal professor of pediatrics at Western Reserve University, discusses rari vus problems that confront parents and their adolescents.

By Dr. Earl E. Smith

Rebellion is a good sign that your child is attempting to become independent. If your home is too rigid, he may rebel against the community instead.

On the other hand, if you are an overly permissive parent, you'll have the same problem of rebellion against the community, especially if you find yourself constantly bailing your child out of ditficulties.

One reason for this is that some adolescents don't obtain satisfaction from rebellious acts at home, so they seek it from the community. Peculiar as it may seem, some rebellion is a necessary part of growing up.

THE ADOLESCENT also has a need to be involved in a variety of things and a need to achieve something. Knowing who he is and where he is going also is important and must come from within him.

Most commonly these young people identify with some figure in the community, such as a doctor, teacher, athlete, minister, and they attempt to emulate him and acquire similar characteristics.

However, some youngsters become extensions of their

parents. If they fail to identify with some adult, problems result. Beatniks, for example, have failed to identify with an adult,

MANY PROBLEMS exist In the area of learning. The youngest adolescent (12-14) usually is very blase and unconcerned; he lacks motivation and is the under-achiever. The older adolescent, prompted by his parents' concern regarding college requirements, begins to worry about them himself.

Sex is a prime concern to the adolescent. Since there is no accepted outlet to this surging drive, he resorts to masturbation, essentially a non-harmful practice, except for the resulting guilt feelings he has.

Michael A. Petti, M.D.

an accepted, normal outlet. The male adolescent worries about his masculinity and he may have peculiar ideas that he has homosexual ideas, which usually have little or no basis.

The female adolescent has similar problems in addition to handling her new femi-

nine rate. To make matters more difficult it is often verv hard for parents to teach sex and frequently an out sider or physician can be of assistance.

FORTUNATELY, sex education has been greatly in:proved in the schools. A book such as, "Understanding Sex," written by Lester A. Kirkendall, Science Research Association, Inc., can be valuable.

Now, what sort of doctor should you want for your teen-ager?

A doctor who takes care of adolescents must make it clear to them that he is their doctor, that he is on their side and accepts them, while at the same time the doctor makes it clear that he is neither on the side of wrongdoing nor against their parents. (Most adolescents believe adults do not understand them.)

The adolescent tends to exand to be impulsive. Thus, aggerate, to be important it is wise for the doctor, and calmly and try to underalso for the parents, to listen stand his problems. We need to meet their impatience and demands with equanimity, humor and flexibility.

Finally, the attitudes in the doctor's office toward the adolescent must be geared to making him feel comfortable. The office staff must show respect for his feelings of privacy and treatment as a young adult.

The pediatrician must explain to him that although infants and young children are in the office, he is being treated differently. If the adolescent still feels uncomfortable, he should be seen by a physician who sees

Petting and necking are adults.