Teenager is one of the phases in human life. In psychology, this period is often referred to as Adolescence, which comes from the Latin word adolescere meaning to grow or to mature. There are various opinions on what a teenager really is. Some believe that teenagers are individuals who are troublesome to adults, arrogant, and difficult to control. Others view teenagers as individuals with potential, responsible for the future of their nation and country.
Perhaps the last opinion is more accurate. So, how do we develop all of that potential? Considering the current reality, there are still many teenage delinquencies happening in our society. The question that arises is why teenage delinquency still occurs? Once this is answered, then we can think about how to develop the potential in teenagers.
Teenagers are also humans, according to Maslow in his hierarchy of needs, human needs are physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Seeing teenagers as individuals transitioning from children to adults, there is a need for guidance and support. Teenagers are sensitive, emotionally unstable, and their moods and spirits fluctuate. This is why teenagers need guidance and attention to fulfill their needs properly, so they do not deviate in their fulfillment. In this case, there is a need for an active role from parents.
The recent rise in teenage delinquency cases is due to the wrong fulfillment of teenage needs. Taking the example of fulfilling the need for security, nowadays many teenage gangs exist where teenagers feel safe when they join these groups. Next, fulfilling the need for love, this does not need to be explained as it is well understood by all. Then the need for esteem, for instance, like the example of the gangs mentioned earlier, but the most dangerous case in this regard is teenage fights. Where teenagers have the perception that the group or individual who is valuable is the one who is strong and wins in fights. Lastly, fulfilling the need for self-actualization is equally important. In general, teenagers are of school age, therefore they are still uncertain in fulfilling this need, and many teenagers fulfill this need by playing games, hanging out, street racing, and even attending alcohol parties.
The image above illustrates the inadequate fulfillment of needs in adolescents. This is where parents need to step in and play an active role in guiding and directing the fulfillment of these needs, from physiological to self-actualization. It is essential to pay attention to needs such as love, recognition, and self-actualization. As the quote above suggests, adolescents are also human beings, so even though they are teenagers, they still need direct expressions of love and affection from their parents, as well as direct praise. When it comes to self-actualization, we can guide them according to their hobbies, ensuring that it is beneficial for them.
Indirectly and consciously, by paying attention to the needs of adolescents and guiding them, not only can we reduce the rate of juvenile delinquency, but we also help nurture their positive potential. Therefore, it is not impossible for adolescents to become individuals who can lead the nation towards a better future.
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