Launch of magazine to help teenagers relate with parents

September 24, 1996

An important free resource for teenagers to help them develop good relationships with their parents was released today as part of Family and Children's Services' family support package.

The magazine, entitled Living with parents, is a practical guide to help parent-teen relationships and was officially launched by Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes.

It was written by Family and Children's Services clinical psychologists with assistance from teenagers at Rockingham and Eastern Goldfields Senior High Schools.

"The teenage years can be a challenge for families as parents come to accept that young people want increasing independence," Mrs Edwardes said.

"From their work with families, departmental psychologists recognised the need for information about practical ways to improve family relationships and negotiate this period.

"It is the latest initiative of the department's $4.6 million parenting campaign to provide resources and skills development for families."

There are nearly 150,000 teenagers in Western Australia aged between 13 and 18 years. The magazine's lively contemporary style is designed to appeal to them and features a quiz for teens to rate their family relationships.

Topics include why parents are the way they are, getting to know yourself, talking to parents without arguing, the art of compromise and building trust.

Research by the TVW Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in 1995 found that 61 per cent of teenagers had problems at home and 45 per cent felt they could not confide in their parents.

Clinical psychologist Anne-Marie Loney said that developing good communication between parents and teenagers was one of the best ways to overcome difficulties.

"Parents worry about the impact of pressures from peer groups, use of drugs and alcohol and values portrayed in the media," she said.

"However, having an open relationship where teenagers feel free to talk about what is going on in their lives is the environment to give them the best opportunity for healthy development."

Living with parents will be widely distributed through schools, libraries, shire offices and community organisations. Copies are also available from Family and Children's Services offices or by telephoning the Parenting Line on (09) 272 1466 or 1 800 654 432 (free for STD callers.)

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777 or 018 906 948