Parent’s Role In Developing High Moral Standards

A young person without morals is like a car without a steering wheel or a ship without a rudder. These teens become adults who go through life with no restraint, and sooner or later, they must face the consequences of their reckless decisions. We know that morals are extremely important to having a quality life, but what can we do to help our teens see that? Here are three steps that will get you started.

Live it!

By far the most influential person in your teen’s life is you. You may not realize it, but they are watching you and becoming like you. If they see weakness in your life, they are virtually sure to follow. It is hard to teach a teen not to smoke if you smoke. The bottom line is if you want them to live a healthy life, then you must set the example for them to follow.

If you make an ethical mistake, make sure you don’t try to justify it. If you do, you are going to have no ground to stand on when you try to teach the right values to your teen. Admit it was wrong. By doing so you have acknowledged wrong and reinforced what is right.

Teach it!

Be intentional about telling your what is right and what is wrong. Then explain why it is so. Don’t assume that your teen already knows your reasons. Don’t be afraid to state the obvious. Sometimes the culture that they are in actually rewards and encourage immoral behavior. Be the voice of reason.

Believe it or not, teens still respect what their parents say. They may not act like it, but what you say does matter.

Show it!

Always be looking for object lessons around you in day to day life. How? By being observant of the people, events, and media around you. Sometimes it is easier for teens to learn when they have an example. I found my daughter singing a popular song that was extremely sexual because she did not understand the meaning. I used the moment to explain what the song was about and why we should disagree with the message. Become aware of teachable moments.

Do morals really matter? Absolutely! The higher a young person’s morals are, the higher their quality of life will be also. Helping a teen to develop a strong moral standard is one of the most important things a parent can do. So do everything you can to live, teach, and show the benefits of a moral life to your teen!