Regrettably, everyone, of all age groups, is subject to stress. It has probably always been like that, but most people would accede that life has become more demanding for everyone since the Seventies, including for teenagers and even children. It is something that we should all bear in mind when dealing with abnormal behaviour from teenagers and children.

Stress manifests itself in various ways, but in the same manner in adults and teenagers and children, although most adults are better able to deal with stress. It is essential to be able to recognize the manifestations of stress in teenagers and children and how to cope with it.

Teenagers are in a particularly vulnerable group. They are mid-way between being dependent children and independent adults and the transition can be tricky, which means stressful.

In the West, approximately 20% of the population are teenagers. Do not forget that teenagers are going through immense psychological, physical, emotional and hormonal changes. Some deal with these changes better than others, but hardly any teenager realizes why they are thought of as stroppy.

There is such a great deal going on in their lives that is new. In other words, they are under stress. That is not an excuse, we have all been through it and stress is not a carte blanche to conduct yourself like an fool.

Sexual awareness is a big stress factor that many teenagers do not how to cope with because they have never experienced it before. This makes teenage girls very vulnerable to older boys who may prey on them for sexual favours.

Teenage girls are often proud of their growing breasts as a sign of their admission into womanhood, but it does not mean that they know how to deal with the stares of older men and the advances of older boys.

The compensating element here is that more girls will seek advice than boys. Boys tend not to seek advice, afraid that they will show themselves up. Talking with family members can be beneficial, although they may be cause of the stress in the first place.