ften the teen tends to date this person just to upset their parents. Parents should be understanding and supportive of their teen's mate. When a teen does decide to bring their boyfriend/girlfriend home to meet their parents they are mainly looking for acceptance. They should show interest in these relationships but must always make sure not to intrude. This may cause an uncomfortable state between both parent and teen. While showing interest a parent should make sure they know who their teen is dating, where they are going, and must never accuse their teen of relating dating to sex (Steinberg and Levine 337). Sex is a very hard thing for parents and teens to discuss together. It is an emotional subject, and what is said or not said may affect a teens own experiences and attitudes (Fenwick and Smith 120). Parents should inform their teens !
             so that they are safe, but they should also let them take on their own responsibilities and make their own decisions. It is wise for parents to allow their teen(s) to have a relationship. These experiences will help their teen develop to understand themselves better and the opposite sex. Parents should also be interested in the friends of their teen and get to know them. Friends are very important in a teens life.
             "Throughout adolescence children become less 'family-centered' and more 'friend-centered.' Friends start to play a new and much larger part in their lives, and friendships teach valuable lessons" (Fenwick and Smith 97). Friendship plays a huge role in a teen's life. Many times these relationships are more meaningful than those with family or a boyfriend/girlfriend. Due to the many experiences of different friendships, a best friend(s) is usually gained. This friend is a person that the teen can trust and feels comfortable to tell anything to. Most of the time girls need a best friend more than boys. Girls need someone to share their most secret thoughts and feelings...