Anger is a perfectly normal emotion to feel. However, many teen boys struggle to express it in a healthy way. Anger often comes out as aggression towards people or even inanimate objects, which can have serious consequences.
If your teen boy is struggling with anger, there are many strategies you can use to help them cope with their emotions.
Why Anger Issues Are More Common in Teen Boys
There are real reasons why teen boys struggle with anger. According to medical studies, males are less likely to seek medical help and more likely to express anger instead of sadness.
Anger can happen in teen boys due to many issues, from doing poorly on a test to fluctuating hormones. It can also stem from compounded mental health issues, such as ADHD, depression, stress, or bipolar disorder.
Since boys are less likely to seek help or know how to express challenging emotions, it’s important to understand the root of their anger. Taking time to investigate will help you know if there is an underlying mental health issue that requires professional help.
Anger Management Strategies for Teen Boys
Try implementing a few of these techniques and see if they help. Remember that teaching proper anger management takes time and you can scaffold new techniques into the mix when needed.
- Exercise and physical activity: Any type of exercise will benefit your teen boy and help them process stress. Team sports are a great outlet, or you can try local karate classes or rock climbing. Help them find a physical activity they love.
- Music or creative expression: You can help them express their emotions healthily with creative activities. Whether it’s playing an instrument, creative writing, or learning stop-motion animation, the possibilities are limitless.
- Problem-solve the issue: Start teaching problem-solving skills to your teen boy. When they are angry or stressed about a situation, show them how to step away from the problem and come up with a few healthy solutions. You can start doing this together until they’re ready to do it on their own.
- Self-directed time-out: You can show that not every situation needs an instant reaction. Encourage your boy to take a moment to step away, breathe, and calm himself.
- Empathize and have a conversation: Offer to be a listener and affirm your boy’s feelings. Show that you understand their anger, and invite them to talk it out with you. This will help them normalize the need to express tough emotions and feel safe while doing it.
- Set boundaries and expectations: It’s up to adults to teach teenagers responsibility. Show that being angry is okay but that it needs to be expressed healthily. Firmly state behaviors that won’t be tolerated, and emphasize the difference between feeling emotions and expressing them. While feeling emotions is normal, expressing emotions needs to be done in safe and healthy ways.
Does Your Teen Boy Need Help With Anger Issues? Reach Out to Lakeside for Support.
If you’ve tried anger management strategies with little success, your teen boy may need additional help. At Lakeside, we specialize in helping teen boys find belonging and purpose. To learn about our holistic programs, call us at 844-768-8336 or send us a message today.