babble » blogs » Strollerderby
Strollerderby
Tired of the Back Talk? It Could Be Keeping Your Kid Off Drugs
Tired of your smart-mouthed teen arguing with everything you say? According to a study by Live Science, all that back talk may actually have some benefit.
A group of 184 seventh- and eighth-graders from urban and suburban areas in the Southeast were surveyed along with their friends and parents. The kids were asked questions about drug and alcohol use, social acceptance, and their friendships. They were also observed discussing an issue with their mother that could prompt argument such as money, grades, or household rules.
Teenagers that showed an ability to productively argue — in which the teen tries to reason with their mother through structured argument in place of whining or name-calling — exhibited the same ability when faced with peer pressure. The study also showed that while teens with friends who used drugs were more at risk of doing the same, those who learned how to assert themselves at home were less likely to pick up the habit than more timid teens.
While the study does rely on the kids’ self-report of drug and alcohol use and observed arguments between parent and child may not be as true to life as they are in the privacy of their home, the take-away of the study makes good sense. Teens that stand their ground in fights with their parents are better-practiced and more likely to do so when faced with the pressure to try drugs or alcohol.
So the next time an argument with your stubborn teen leaves you wanting to rip your hair out, remember that they are just as likely to mouth off to a friend pressuring them to make a bad decision as they are at you and your ridiculously early curfew.
From Jezebel via Live Science.
Photo credit: Stock.xchng
Go Back To Strollerderby
9 Comments
Rosana commented on Dec 22 11 at 4:37 pmHahahahaha!!!
Linda, t.o.o. commented on Dec 22 11 at 7:31 pm“an ability to productively argue — in which the teen tries to reason with their mother through structured argument in place of whining or name-calling” This isn’t “back talk.” Just sayin’.
Meagan commented on Dec 22 11 at 7:33 pm” Teenagers that showed an ability to productively argue — in which the teen tries to reason with their mother through structured argument in place of whining or name-calling”
I would call the whining and name calling “backtalk” not the productive arguing.
amberdoty commented on Dec 22 11 at 9:47 pmI guess it depends on your definition of back talk. Anytime I ask my children to do something within reason and they do anything, but comply I consider that back talk.
I don’t care if they make an excel plot or a pie graph to explain why they aren’t doing as I say. If they aren’t listening and complying and instead are arguing their case, they are talking back.
Linda, t.o.o. commented on Dec 23 11 at 1:54 am@amberdoty, LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL, aren’t your kids like two and four? I actually have a teen and preteen. How’s about you get back to us in about 10 years regarding how your philosophy of parenting toddlers in working out for you and your teenage daughter. ;)
amberdoty commented on Dec 23 11 at 1:59 amYou are right. I have absolutely no knowledge on parenting teenagers. However, I was one less than a decade ago. ;)
Linda, t.o.o. commented on Dec 23 11 at 4:03 pm@amberdoty, it’s nothing personal. I just think the Babble/Strollerderby trend of having mothers with preschool aged children attempt to write about parenting teenagers is a complete joke. Based of recent Strollerderby posts I supposedly have to worry about my teenage daughter smoking pot, inhaling cinnamon (my personal favorite), and having group sex. So I guess having some self righteous 20 something with a preschooler a toddler pretend she knows jack shit about teenagers, just cracks me up. Seriously, Strollerderby editors, either just stop writing about parenting teenagers, assign someone who has some actual experience, or that the bare minimum, assign these stories to someone who has the good sense to grasp that you don’t parent your teenagers the same way you parent your toddlers.
Chris commented on Apr 20 12 at 2:00 pmI am 31, have a 14 yrold girl & a 12 yrold SN son & 7 yrold son. Whew get my credentials out of the way ;) It is not ok at any age for a child to out right defy a parent. It is developmentally appropriate IMO at any age for a child to ask why. How they ask & what sort of answer they get from me should & does change based on age & how they act. What seems to be described above, from a teenager sounds like appropriate, respectful conversation. Which IMO should be encouraged at that age (they have to b adults later BTW) however, I get the final say, at any age, & this is not a democracy. Thank you :)
Add your take:
Note: Babble is a supportive, diverse community. We encourage a range of opinions,
but any unduly hostile comments will be removed.
Comments are delayed up to 15 minutes
Lori Garcia 
Joslyn Gray 
Amber Doty 
Julianna Miner 
Monica Bielanko 
Sierra Black 
Meredith Carroll 
Carolyn Castiglia 
Sunny Chanel 
Madeline Holler 
Rebecca Odes 
Danielle Smith 
Danielle Sullivan 
Katherine Stone 
The Walt Disney Company supports Babble as a platform dedicated to honest, engaged, informed, intelligent and open conversation about parenting. However, the opinions expressed on this site are those of individual parents/writers and do not reflect the views of Disney. In addition, content provided on this site is for entertainment or informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or safety advice.
9