The good news is that parents are by far the biggest influence on their teenagers. The bad news is that many parents are not an altogether great influence. Most teenagers do the right thing most of the time. The troubled kids get all the press, but research shows that most kids make it through adolescence without major disasters. Adolescents see temporary setbacks as insurmountable obstacles.
Many teens lack proper perspective, making mountains out of molehills.
This can lead to irrational decisions and perplexing behavior. Teenagers cannot comprehend that their parents were ever their age. But teenagers are convinced that their problems and struggles are unique to them and to this era. Teenagers will test their parents' values and beliefs before making them their own. The days of congenial compliance are over.