Whether your child studies at an international school in Manila or elsewhere, being a teenager has its own set of challenges. This is a period where your child begins to learn new things and have a more meaningful relationship with herself.
When it comes to emotions, there are times when teenagers would feel lonely and disconnected from the people around them. This has become a big issue among teens across the world, as studies have shown that teenagers are now suffering from loneliness more than any other age group.
More and more parents want to expand their perspectives as to why teenagers feel lonely and alienated from their surroundings. Understanding teenage loneliness can be difficult, which is why it is best to identify the possible causes in order to give them the helping hand they need.
Differentiating Loneliness and Solitude
Knowing how to distinguish between loneliness and solitude is fundamental towards understanding your teen. While solitude can be a sign that your teenager is comfortable with being independent, loneliness means that your teenager feels alone and detached even in the company of others and would prefer to isolate herself from social contact.
Understanding this difference will give you a better sense of what your teen is experiencing. From avoiding certain people or responsibilities to quiet moments of self-reflection, there can be a wide variety of reasons why your teenager wants to be alone.
One core aspect of growing up as a teenager is learning how to manage one’s emotions, which is why a lot of them prefer to be alone in order to reflect on what they are going through and where they are headed.
Along with puzzling inquiries about the world around them, this can lead them to ask questions about what they want to do and achieve. These complicated thoughts and emotions can be overwhelming, thus, making them feel lonely as they try to get a stable grasp of everything.
This is one of the most challenging aspects of teenage life, which is why supporting your teen by practicing open communication and building a strong bond will enable her to find her identity and get in better touch with her feelings.
Difficulties in Socializing
Teenagers who feel lonely tend to have difficulties when it comes to socializing with other people. Social interaction plays a huge role in the development of both children and teenagers. Arguably, today’s generation of teens might not be socializing enough. In a world where social media is prevalent amongst the young population, especially teenagers, the amount of social interaction can be much less compared to years past.
Most teens prefer to contact their friends through social media channels rather than meeting up. This may hamper the development of their social skills and can be detrimental as they enter the early years of their adulthood, as they might struggle with, or continue to avoid social interactions even at an older age.
As a parent, it is best to try and provide more opportunities for your teen to socialize with her friends and peers. Encouraging healthy interactions with the people around her can also serve as another means for her to overcome her feelings of loneliness.
While social media has made connecting with people more convenient, having actual social interactions will always be more beneficial for your teen’s growth, maturity, and overall emotional development.
Key Takeaway
Loneliness is an overwhelming feeling that can cause your teenager to struggle with managing her emotions and developing her social skills. As a parent, it is important to understand loneliness in order to be able to find the best way to help your child overcome it and become a strong and confident young adult.
