VULNERABLE teenage girls come in every race and creed, and from every social background. They are older versions of girls who have either been neglected, or been denied guidance, protection, love and nurturing from trustworthy adults during the preceding years.
Vulnerable teenage girls rarely make sensible choices about their present or future situations; there is very little foresight or planning in their decision-making process, and, like most young people, they like to live for the moment. For them, being neither a child nor an adult is a precarious stage of existence. They have yet to understand so many things about their emotions, desires, aspirations and goals, and how to care for their bodies; it is easy for them to be side-tracked or beguiled by either an older predator or a male peer who is up to no good.
Some vulnerable teenage girls were raised in households where very little was done to repress sexual conversations and behaviour in their presence; they consequently learnt far too much, much too young, about the wrong things.
The onus will always be on parents to behave in an appropriate manner around children. Children are often exposed to situations over which they have no control. When their conduct comes across as precocious, they are branded as ‘force ripe’ or ‘hot’. People rarely consider the type of upbringing such children may have experienced.
By talking to teenage girls about making life choices, and by giving them good information and a sense of direction, adults can begin to instil some of the missing elements of their development. It is never too late to help a vulnerable teenage girl, no matter how ‘hard ears’ she may initially seem to be.
There is extra pressure on teenage girls nowadays, more than ever, to keep up with their peers; sometimes on a global footing. Following social media trends only adds to their anxieties and feelings of inadequacy in cases where they already feel socially and emotionally isolated. The Internet can be a useful information tool, but it is also a place where teenage girls can be lured into illicit behaviour, or stalked by predators.
Vulnerable teenage girls may like the attention they receive from admirers when they post suggestive pictures of themselves and receive an array of comments and likes, but the pictures are then available in the worldwide domain for a very long time to come. As they grow and mature, the pictures they posted for fun could become a source of embarrassment and shame; they are too immature to realise it now, but that is why adults must teach them how best to conduct themselves, and how to create a positive rather than a negative footprint.
The disconnection is exasperating when parents are more addicted to social media than their children; many fail to monitor their children or feel that it’s their responsibility to know what their teenagers are doing Online.
Teenage girls need to belong; they need to ‘fit in’ and find their identities, but most of all, they need reliable adults, family members and/or parents to guide them through this turbulent period of their development. They needn’t remain vulnerable if adults care enough to intervene or take the time to have a word when they see the need.
When interacting with teenage girls, grown-ups must be respectful, and use choice words and an even tone. Using cuss words, cursing and calling them names are never an effective way to impart useful information to teenagers.
Even though adults may keep an eye on their teen by asking relevant questions, and by making sure that necessary provisions are in place, many adults fail to connect with their teenage children.
Connecting with a teen means taking a vested interest in everything that she is doing, feeling and experiencing: It means finding and spending quality time with the teenage girl; talking with and listening to her, and steering her in the right direction where necessary.
Teenage girls who have at least one trustworthy adult in their lives with whom they can talk openly and receive sound advice are less likely to end up in the ‘vulnerable’ category; they tend to have a good sense of well-being; a sense of direction and purpose, and are not easily misled.
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979, or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION.
