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As you’ve seen throughout this guide, youth culture can have a powerful influence on youth attitudes and behaviors. But in spite of the worries we may have about the potential negative effects of pop culture and peer pressure, research shows that parents possess a unique power to help their children stay healthy and drug free. Parental influence is the primary reason that youth do not use drugs. Most teens who do not use alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs credit their parents for their decision. The fact is that despite your teen’s growing independence, your parental guidance and support is needed now as much as ever.
But how do parents know the right things to say and do? Experts tell us that we have to take the time to understand the world teens live in today. By reading RETROspective and building bridges with your teen, you’ve taken a big step toward that understanding.
In addition, there are five basic things you can do to help ensure your teen makes healthy and informed decisions:
- Establish and maintain good communication with your teen.
- Get involved in your teen’s life.
- Make clear rules and enforce them with consistency and appropriate consequences.
- Be a positive role model.
- Help your teen deal with the need for peer acceptance.
- Monitor your teen’s activities.
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