What is authority? Authority, as defined by Wikipedia, is the power or right to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience; the right to act in a specified way, delegated from one person or organization to another.

Positive authority is earned or given. For example: a teen is elected President of the Student Body at school or a teen demonstrates an ability to fix computers. This is legitimate positive authority. It is an example of working in a cooperative manner.

Negative authority is not earned it is taken. For example: a teen says to members of a club he or she is part of, “I am going to do this and you are going to that.” It is a demonstration of the need for power or control.

Some people say that if teenagers had more experiences with positive authority figures, they would be less rebellious, defiant and have fewer problems with authority. Teens with authority problems may have more going on than just the typical teenage issues with authority. Is your teenager is showing increased difficulties with teachers, coaches, the police or at home? Is your teen becoming more defiant, having trouble in school, seems extremely angry, getting into trouble with the law, is being a bully, etc.? They could have Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

Teens with ODD need structure and to learn how their negative thoughts affect their behavior.

Whether your teen is just being defiant and acting out toward authority or if he has ODD, you are not alone. Reach out for help. Triumph Youth Services can answer your questions and give your suggestions.

The staff at Triumph Youth Services has been working with kids for many years, take advantage of their knowledge.

Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authority