BBC - Radio 4 Woman's Hour -Raising Teenagers

Is it a problem or a pleasure to be raising teens in the 21st Century?

Listening to the news bulletins these days would lead you to believe that our teenagers are out of control. The picture is terrifying – a generation involved in gun and knife crime, drug abuse, binge drinking and having underage sex with pregnancy rates among the highest in Europe. And what of the rest? Well exams are getting easier and not now worth the paper they’re printed on. It’s not a good picture.. but how true is it? What is it really like to be a teenager at this time, and what challenges do we face, as parents and carers to the new generation?

Jenni is joined by David Bainbridge, author of ‘Teenagers – A Natural History’ who explains about the physical and mental changes which take place as children mature into adults. He reveals how these developments create and affect teenage behaviour. Buff Davis is a teacher who organises help for parents in her school. She discusses how to manage problematic parenting situations and also how we can help our teenagers through what can be difficult and challenging times. And, in the light of all the headlines about gun and knife crime, what can be done to help the disaffected young people in society? Peaches Cadogan is a youth worker who was once one of them. She’ll be talking about turning her life around and about how she now uses her own experience to inspire others to do the same. All this and a panel of teenagers – ordinary young people who have won ‘Diana Awards’ for doing something extraordinary to help their communities. They talk about how are viewed by the press and by society.

And tomorrow we want to hear from you. Are you a parent or teacher, a youth worker.. even a teenager .. or maybe you’ve just got an opinion on young people that you’d like to share? We’d like to hear it – either by e-mail or by phone - the studio lines will be opening at 8.00 in the morning. So please do call us on 03700 100 444 to take part in the programme.

Book details:Teenagers – A Natural History by David Bainbridge is published by Portobello Books ISBN 097846271212

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