One study published in this month's Chesterton Tribune says that teens who set clearly defined rules, inquired about what the teen was doing and where they were going, and were aware of who the friends were of the teen were half as likely to crash than those with less involved parents.
These same teens were twice more likely to wear their seat belts and they were substantially less less likely to use their cell phone while driving.
Studies also show that parental involvement in schools dramatically decreases as the children get older. Some claim that the schedules are complex, the curriculum is intimidating and not knowing their role as reasons why involvement decreases. However, when parents have the expectation of the teen going on to further education and doing well in school, the teen does just what is expected. They do in fact go on to further academic achievement and they even do better on their homework.
Teens that are close to their parents or know their parents are involved in their lives are also more likely to have good peer groups. By this we don't mean that normal teen behavior will not happen but teens will be less likely to fall into crowds that typically use drugs or are into underage drinking.
It is a great idea to sit down and go over teen behaviors, choices and issues with your teen and a parent contract. This just helps clarify what expectations are and what consequences will be.
