When a seemingly normal conversation spins out of control, it's not because a kid is being difficult or having a bad attitude. Studies conclude that the adolescent brain interprets emotional expressions differently than an adult's brain. The most active part of a teenager's brain houses fear and anger. They also tend to react without stopping to think. To put the situation like a mathematical equation: misinterpretation + gut response + lousy brakes = poor communication. One solution is to teach young people how to communicate in a respectful, productive manner.

Adapted from Why Do They Act That Way (A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen),
David Walsh, Free Press, 2004. pp. 74-78.

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