A SENIOR psychiatrist has emphasised the need for parents to show understanding and sensitivity towards their children during adolescence.

Professor Hla Htay, from the Department of Mental Health at the Institute of Medicine (1), said the parental management of adolescents required a balanced approach.

If parents imposed too many restrictions on adolescent children they would respond with negative behaviour but if they indulged them they would be undisciplined, he said.

Guidelines set by parents were often misunderstood by adolescents as being too restrictive, which led to conflicts.

“Adolescents fight against restrictions and the rules and regulations of their parents,” said Professor Hla Htay, who is also a professor at the Yangon Mental Health Hospital.

Unless conflicts were resolved, adolescents could become aggressive and destructive. Sometimes they ran away from home, he said.

“A moderate approach to discipline was the most suitable way for parents to manage adolescent children,” Professor Hla Htay said.

Misunderstandings also arose from the fact that adolescents regarded themselves as adults and disliked being treated as children.

Misunderstandings with parents created stress, anxiety and tension among adolescents which some sought to overcome by abusing drugs or alcohol, Professor Hla Htay said.

An adolescent’s peers were another potential source of conflict with parents, he said.

“The development of friendships with peers is one of the most important aspects of the social development of children and adolescents,” said Professor Hla Htay.

“Parents should encourage their children to take up useful hobbies so that they will not be influenced by peers who have bad habits,” he said.

Most parents were concerned about the character of their children’s peers.

The transitional period from childhood to adulthood is complicated and parents could help by being open in discussions about their concerns, such as a child’s choice of friends, Professor Hla Htay said.

He also be encouraged adolescents to open about discussing difficulties with their parents.