MILITARY SCHOOLS FOR TROUBLED TEENS?
How to Help Your Troubled Teen
When struggling with a troubled teen, your first thought might be to send him or her to a military school. After all, military schools are supposed to instill discipline and turn troubled teens into respectful, lawful, and responsible citizens. Unfortunately, not all troubled teens will benefit from this type of program. Read on to find out if military school may be beneficial or detrimental to your son or daughter.
Understanding Military School
Privately owned military schools prepare children for military jobs upon graduation because they take after military colleges and universities. Children will not only receive as good of an education as they would outside of the program but they will also be required to demonstrate team work, physical endurance, and obedience to authority. Graduates from these programs are mentally prepared if they choose to go on to military boot camp.
The Benefits to Troubled Teens
Many people assume this type of school is perfect for troubled teenagers because of its great emphasis on discipline but many military schools will not accept everyone that applies. Your son or daughter must attend the military school voluntarily and any disobedience may result in expulsion.
The reason why this type of program emphasizes the need for students to remain compliant is to ensure positive peer interaction. Adolescence is a time for children to find out who they are separate from their parents. During this time, adolescents usually attach themselves to peers that seem attractive. If an adolescent becomes attracted to negative role models due to emotional issues or an unstable home life, this is when a troubled teen is born.
Many parents and educators find that if they can get a pre-teen that has recently started engaging in deviant behavior interested in the military way of life, the success rate of this type of program for the troubled pre-teen is higher.
The Disadvantages to Troubled Teens
Older teens are less likely to benefit from the program because the factors that contribute to their troubled behavior are rooted much deeper, which means it will take much more work to help them. Additionally, these teens are much more resistant to change because they know they have their peers that support them back at home.
The Missing Component to Military Schools
Many deviant adolescents also have emotional issues that need sorted out so they can work on their behavior. Military schools do not have a therapeutic component as part of their program. This means the root of problem is not addressed, making the possibility of changing the teenager’s behavior virtually impossible.
Alternative Educational Solutions for Troubled Youth
Many parents are at a loss when it comes to figuring out what to do with their teenagers that continuously engage in criminal and deviant behavior. These teenagers may have already entered into the juvenile detention system or are very close to it. The good news is that even though military school may not be the best option for a troubled teen that is resistant to change, other programs are available.
Boot Camp for Teenagers
Boot camp is a temporary program designed especially for troubled youth. The basis for the program is much like military school because teens must obey authority, demonstrate teamwork, and engage in physical endurance activities. The difference in this program is that it is hoped teens will learn how life will be if they continue down their current path.
The Downside of Boot Camps
The problem with the program is that there are too many available and your son or daughter will most likely meet other teens that live in your area. Since all of the teenagers that enroll in boot camp are troubled, yours will most likely become friends with these troubled peers and try to meet with them after the program.
Another issue is the effects of the program do not last as long as you might hope. Many teens return home changed but after going back to school to hang out with the same people, the troublesome behavior may also return.
The only solution to this may be to send your son or daughter to a boot camp far away from your home. After the program, you may want to enroll him or her into a different school such as a private school so your teenager can make new friends.
Residential Treatment Facilities for Troubled Teenagers
Residential treatment facilities are institutional settings for troubled teens. These facilities have all of the components to help troubled teens get the help they need.
Therapy
Your teen will have weekly or daily contact with a therapist to discuss the reasons why he or she enrolled in the facility, about problems with other residents and family issues. The therapist will also explore the reasons for deviant behavior and educate your teen on ways to be a responsible person. There may also be family therapy as part of the therapeutic process.
Education
It is mandatory that the curriculum at residential treatment facilities mimic the one in regular schools. The difference is that your teenager will receive extra individual support and guidance through the lessons. This is especially helpful for teenagers with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Secure Environment
Staff is present 24 hours a day so your teenager will not have the opportunity to engage in deviant behavior. If a teenager becomes violent, discipline such as seclusion and restraint (allowable in some states) is used.
Parental Concerns with Residential Treatment Facilities
You may have some reservations about an institutional setting. Be advised that these settings are most suitable for severely troubled teenagers. Teenagers do graduate from these facilities and return to mainstream society to function as law abiding citizens. It is up to you and possibly a counselor to decide if it is the right environment for your son or daughter.
