By Shuran Wang
Power dynamics between adults and adolescents are undergoing significant shifts, as younger generations become more assertive and engaged in family decision-making. While traditional parental authority still plays a major role, many adolescents today are beginning to assert more control over their lives.
“Involving adolescents in family decisions can lead to improved mental health and stronger family cohesion,” according to a recent study published in the National Institute of Health.
This finding resonates with the experiences of three high school students from different areas, all of whom emphasized the importance of balancing power dynamics between adults and teens. To gain deeper insights into their perspectives, I created a cozy space for our interviews, which helped them feel at ease and encouraged thoughtful reflection. I started by clearly stating my purpose and asking, “Who usually makes the decisions when there’s a disagreement with an adult in daily life” I followed up with, “How do you feel about that” This approach opened the door for them to share their experiences and insights more freely.
Selena Peng, a senior at Northwood High School, reflected on her experience growing up in a household where his parents’ decisions dominated conflicts. “My parents always make direct decisions based on their experience and judgment, and I usually need to obey,” Selena said, hesitantly. Even so, her hope for the future is clear: “ I wish I can apply negotiated education as a parent in the future to balance the rights of adults and adolescents.”
Joyce Wu, also a senior at a nearby school, echoed similar sentiments but highlighted the gradual shift in her family dynamic. ‘‘Until I was thirteen, I let my parents handle everything. Afterwards when through the knowledge from high school I grew to have basic judgment, that I took the initiative to communicate with adults, even if it took a long time to find a mutually acceptable solution.” Joyce explained. This reflects a broader trend, where adolescents are gradually seeking more involvement in decisions that affect them, challenging traditional adult-centric authority structures. This aligns with a broader trend, as adolescents seek more involvement in decisions that affect them, challenging the traditional top-down authority structures.
Xitong Wang, a high school student in China, feels that her voice is often left unheard. “Sometimes, my parents decide what’s best for me without asking how I feel. It makes me feel powerless and leads to resentment, so I believe we should advocate for our rights” she said. Xitong’s perspective points to a common issue, where the lack of adolescent input can strain relationships and hinder emotional development.
Moreover, research from the American Psychological Association has shown that power-sharing between parents and adolescents reduces conflict and fosters a healthier relationship. When adolescents are allowed to negotiate and collaborate on family decisions, the study found a 40% reduction in behavioral issues and an increase in mutual respect.
This aligns with a growing trend where adolescents are increasingly empowered to participate in family decisions, often seeking approval not just from parents but also from external sources such as peers, technology, and social media. This trend highlights a growing shift towards a more collaborative family dynamic. Teens, equipped with access to information, are making decisions about important family matters, sometimes even contributing to complex discussions like financial planning or navigating new technologies alongside adults.