Adolescence is a phase when young people experiment with various aspects of life, accumulating experiences that help them develop into their "own person". Experiencing a healthy dose of risks and challenges is vital for that development. "I think most people underestimate what teenagers are capable of. Adults tend to baby us so we ourselves don't believe we are capable," said Pankaj Jha, 17, a grade 12 student.
While most teenagers are known for their tendency toward risk-taking, adults often view this negatively. It is important to realise that teenagers can be directed to activities that involve challenges in order to aid their healthy development.
Healthy vs. unhealthy risk-taking
"Although we know that most young people embrace risk, what needs to be realised is that without the opportunity for meaningful challenge, they may embrace alternative negative risks," says psychologist Dr Vineeta Sharma. "On the flip side, deliberately exposing youth to a new range of healthy activities, including those that involve high risk, can actually help them develop their potential and have their 'need for danger' channelled into positive avenues."
However, most parents and camp professionals are more familiar with unhealthy risk-taking. This includes activities that endanger the health and safety of young people such as drinking, drugs, body mutilation and poor eating habits. Healthy risk-taking, on the other hand, includes positive activities such as participating in treks, camps, sports, volunteer activities or running for school office.
"Exposing teenagers to such activities outside the classroom, where they can learn to cope with unexpected situations and adversities, allows them to develop their personalities in a positive way and equips them to deal with situations in their normal day-to-day life as well.
If teenagers are unable to project themselves either mentally or physically into something other than the routine life of their neighbourhood, their range of opportunities becomes extremely limited.
Says Pankaj Jha: "I know a lot of young people who, even if they don't want to go astray, are unfortunately forced to do so because of the lack of alternative healthy, challenging activities. Thus, they eventually get involved in things beyond their control and which they can't get out of."
"I think more institutions should advocate productive gap years, where independent travelling, expedition or voluntary work can be taken up," says Kirti Kapoor, a class 12 teacher.
Danger as a preventive strategy
Coping successfully with a risky or dangerous situation actually makes you stronger. This is because it involves an element of crisis, which is like a fork in the road – one road leading in the right direction, the other in the wrong one – either weakening or strengthening a person's ability to cope. An unexpected fringe benefit of crisis is that the individual discovers untapped inner resources as well as weaknesses, and can improve upon them.
"Even if a youngster is not growing up in a high-risk environment, part of the preventive and interventive strategy is to expose him/her to some of the elements of these environments, as well as to prescribe the best blend of experiences that will have a positive effect. One can deliberately prescribe different recreational activities to enhance his/her self-esteem, confidence and artistic capabilities. He/she can be involved in art classes, camping trips, basketball, gymnastics, swimming, karate, soccer, etc." says Sharma.
Camps and treks
A change of scene should be one of the dominant features of the psychological and educational strategy of schools. It can be applied by organising outings and school trips enabling youngsters to discover different realities.
Treks in the wilderness or mountains, camping expeditions, etc. are once-in-a-lifetime experiences full of challenges, interpersonal discoveries and growth.
"The experience pushes youngsters out of their comfort zones, exposing behaviours to be explored and processed by their counsellors, teachers and peers. The activity doesn't leave idle time for self-pity or habitual urges, but rather forces youngsters to remain focused on the task at hand," said Kapoor. It results in a holistic approach to an emotionally stronger, healthier individual better equipped to deal with the hardships of life. They imbibe social skills and self-empowerment, learning not just how to survive the elements, but how that applies to survival in society also.
Letting go
The biggest challenge for parents is to allow their children to go out into the world, and learn to become independent. In the process, they need help finding safe environments and help learning acceptable conflict-resolving skills.
— The writer is a freelancer based in Lucknow, India
