Often, though, it is a rocky time for parent-child relationships. Many factors influence how well teens master the tasks of adolescence. One of the most important factors is the teens' sense of self-esteem. When children are young, their family is the primary source of feedback on how strong and valuable they are. By the teen years, however, self-esteem is influenced more by friends.
Supportive friends help teens believe in their own ability to cope with pressure.
Of course, a supportive peer group can have anti-social results, as in the case of some street gangs. Strong self-esteem can be directed in positive or negative ways. These characteristics generally occur in combination. Attempts to help teens by addressing only one or two are usually not successful. For example, preventing drug use by teaching only decision-making skills is not as effective as approaches that also emphasize communication skills, motivation and encouragement.