How parental conflicts shape a teen’s understanding of relationships

Every family has conflicts at one time or another. Disagreements in opinion, pressure due to daily responsibilities, and changes in expectation may sometimes lead to conflicts between parents.

Although parents may perceive conflicts as mere disagreements or arguments, teenagers may be watching with keen attention and internalising what they see and hear. During their teenage years, teenagers develop their own perspectives and opinions about communication, respect, and emotional intelligence. Conflicts in the family may greatly influence teenagers’ perspectives about relationships in general.Teens learn communication styles from parentsTeenagers may develop communication styles based on what they see at home. If parents are able to communicate effectively during conflicts or disagreements, teenagers may learn to communicate during conflicts. However, if parents are aggressive in communication during conflicts, teenagers may develop similar communication styles. Therefore, parents should be aware that teenagers may develop communication styles based on what parents do at home.

It shapes their perception of respectConflicts may not have any adverse effects on teenagers; it is how parents handle conflicts that matters most. If parents are respectful to each other during conflicts or disagreements, teenagers may develop perspectives about respect in relationships. Therefore, parents should be aware that conflicts may have positive effects on teenagers if parents handle conflicts with respect and care. Conflicts may teach teenagers to be respectful to each other in relationships.It affects how they handle their own conflictsTeenagers usually emulate how their parents handle their own conflicts. Conflicts can occur between friends, classmates, or even siblings. When teenagers witness how their parents handle their own conflicts in a healthy manner, they are likely to emulate the same when faced with their own conflicts. When teenagers witness their parents handling their own conflicts in a healthy manner, they learn how to handle their own conflicts in a healthy manner.Emotional safety impacts their relationship confidenceTeenagers in a household where conflicts are resolved in a healthy manner and where there is a lot of emotional reassurance are likely to feel confident in their relationships. When teenagers witness their parents handling their own conflicts in a healthy manner and where there is a lot of emotional reassurance, they learn that conflicts in a relationship do not mean that the relationship is broken.Positive resolution promotes accountabilityTeenagers learn a lot from their parents when their parents demonstrate accountability in their relationship. When parents demonstrate accountability in their relationship, teenagers learn that being wrong is not a bad thing but an opportunity for growth in a relationship. When teenagers learn that their parents can demonstrate accountability in their relationship, they learn how to handle their own relationships in a healthy manner.