Teenagers and their counseling needs

Teenagers have problems that they struggle with due to many and diverse reasons. Young people face a multitude of on-going stress related problems. These problems include relationship difficulties, high expectations placed on them for academic success, loss of parents, divorce and separation of their parents. The way they are brought up, the schools they go to, and the social environment around them are some factors that contribute to these problems. The authority figures in the lives of these teens would be the best people to respond through counseling to the problems they face. These people include their parents, teachers, counselors, pastors and church leaders involved in the teen s programs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate teenage counseling in ACK St. Martin s Church to help them cope with their problems. The findings of the study were: teenage problems include peer pressure, low self-esteem, and engagement in sexual activities, conflict between parents and teens and relationship problems in general. Teenagers prefer to talk to each other when faced with problems before consulting with any adult.

Autorentext

Leah Gatuma graduated with a licentiate in Theology (ministry and Development) in November 2002 from Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa (ESSA). She is a holder of Bachelor of Theology Honours (Theology and Development) from University of KwaZulu- Natal and Masters in Theology (Counseling) from St Paul s University Limuru.