The teen mind is a mystery to most parents.
What's even more mystifying is that these selfsame parents were once teens themselves, but that in no way qualifies them to figure out how their teen's mind works.
One of life's mysteries, I suppose.
Even an astro-physicist who can scientifically analyse the beauty of a rain bow to death may not be able to work out the rationale behind a teen's thoughts and actions.
So, it can't be a matter of intelligence, entirely.
Unless, the teen were to let you in; therein lies the key to understanding a teen.
It's amazing how teens open up on Facebook and often to total strangers.
You hear of young girls setting off to meet strange men they knew for a few hours online.
These strangers are able to win their trust and convince them to throw caution to the winds and do all sorts of dangerous things.
And this, when a parent may have trouble getting this same teen to answer sensibly such simple queries as "how was school today?" So why would a teen open up to a total stranger and be highly reticent when it comes to his or her own parents? The stranger is non-judgmental, highly supportive, very understanding, shows caring, tenderness, and empathy; it's such a pity the bugger could be a pedophile.
Parents usually mean well, but they choose terribly disappointing ways to show it.
They are quick to find fault, yell, put down, threaten, and use emotional blackmail.
And then they wonder where they went wrong.
While these reactions are so common as to be considered normal, they do not make for ideal parent-child relationships that foster confidence and trust-two things that encourage a teen to reveal his or her innermost thoughts and fears to another living being.
On the other hand, if parents are able to treat their offspring with respect and love, it fosters in them a trust that is a sure foundation for a lifelong relationship.
And when that happens, your teen's mind is an open book that keeps no secrets from you.
There is an amazing transparency that makes for open communication and intelligent conversation instead of mindless mumbles and teen jargon that goes yo...
yo..
..
Teens that go looking for trouble and get themselves into all sorts of difficult situations are articulating their mental turbulence.
These acts are a cry for help.
You can read what's on their minds in these acts of self-destruction and rebellion.
These actions signify a lack of attention, parenting, and guidance.
Their minds work in unfathomable ways to circumvent these lacks.
A lack of parental guidance is an enormous lacuna that no government body can successfully fill.
And that is probably why these acts are termed criminal and not heeded as cries for help.