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Parents are Pivotal When It Comes to Risky Behaviors

Parents play a pivotal role in whether teens engage in risky behaviors such as drinking, drug use and sexual activity. Compared to a generation ago, most of today’s teens are thriving and overall risky behaviors are down. However, teens encounter a number of pressures on a daily basis, many of which come from school, friends and media. It’s easy for them to engage in risky behaviors as an enticing way to escape from these mounting pressures or to simply fit in with their peers.

While influences on your teen may seem significant, as a parent, your influence can override most negative pressures. They will listen to you if you openly communicate your expectations and the consequences for partaking in risky behaviors. Learn more about pressures on today’s teens and how they are different from those of 20 years ago.

For more on parenting teens, visit new content on TheAntidrug.com.

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