In today's modern society, adolescenthood is a crucial time for individuals to discover their true identities, passions, and interests while learning how to navigate through life's challenges and obstacles. One of these obstacles includes managing the conflict between desire and values. As teenagers are exposed to various influences that may contradict their personal beliefs or upbringing, they must learn how to balance what they want with what they believe is right.
Desire refers to an individual's innate longing, urge, or impulse that drives them toward certain actions or behaviors. On the other hand, values refer to one's principles, standards, or moral guidelines that guide their behavior and choices.
Some individuals may experience strong desires towards engaging in risky behaviors such as substance abuse, promiscuity, or criminal activity but may have conflicting values regarding self-respect, health, and safety. This creates tension within themselves as they struggle to reconcile their actions with their deeply held beliefs.
To manage this conflict, teens can take several approaches, including developing healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stressful situations and seeking support from trusted adults or peers who share similar values. They can also practice mindfulness by being aware of their thoughts and emotions before making decisions based on rationality rather than impulsivity.
Exploring alternative activities that align with their values can help redirect attention away from temptations.
Effective management requires effort and patience as it involves a conscious decision to prioritize values over instant gratification. Teenagers need to develop resilience, self-control, and discipline to overcome the challenges posed by their desires while remaining true to themselves.
Finding a balance between desire and values enables adolescents to lead fulfilling lives where they can thrive without compromising their integrity or well-being.
How do adolescents manage the conflict between desire and values?
Adolescence is a period of rapid physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development that begins around the age of 10 years old and lasts until early adulthood (around 25). During this time, adolescents experience an increase in biological changes that can lead to new and strong desires for things such as sexual intimacy, independence, and risk-taking behavior.