Trouble with Authority

What is authority? Merriam-Webster.com defines authority as the power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior; persons in command. Dictionary.com defines authority as the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes; jurisdiction; the right to control, command, or determine.

As our children grow and mature they begin to question authority. Teenagers are trying to become independent and as a result question the demands placed upon them. They do not like the limits placed on their freedom. Pushing against authority has its purpose in allowing the teen to explore their environment and see where the absolute boundaries lie.

So when does this behavior become a problem? Questioning authority in itself is not bad; however, the trouble begins when a teenager becomes disrespectful with authority figures, whether it is a parent, teacher, police officer or other. Teens who continue to challenge authority often are diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).

Symptoms:

• Rude behavior toward authority figures
• Difficulty keeping a job – resenting superiors
• Ignoring authority
• Uncooperative
• Power struggles
• Constant conflict with authority figures
• Hostile behavior toward those in authority
• Refusing requests by authority figures
• Arguing
• Behavior leading to trouble with the law

When disrespectful behavior becomes a pattern and interferes with daily living it is time to seek help.

Triumph Youth Services offers a small, highly structured family-type environment for youth. This family-like community promotes a social environment that takes on both therapeutic and healing properties instead of maintaining negative behaviors.

Our Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) approach utilizes individual therapy combined with group and family therapy to treat each youth’s issues. In addition to the therapy, the Positive Peer Culture utilized in Triumph Youth Services facilities help the youth process their issues and build skills for their own personal progress.

Triumph Youth Services provides a daily Life Skills Group. The goal of our Life Skills Group training program is to teach the student a new set of responses to social situations, as well as how to integrate his behavior with others in the environment. Our staff members are trained and encouraged to be effective leaders by serving as teachers or coaches who hold the young men responsible for working on problems and to act as limit setters and good listeners.

Call Triumph Youth Services. We are here to help.