3 Pressures Your Son Is Facing in Middle School

3 Pressures Your Son is Facing in Middle School

If you don’t already know, middle school can be a very challenging time for middle school boys. There are so many physical and emotional changes taking place in a very short amount of time. In addition to all this, middle school boys can feel immense pressure from their peers.

Our goal is to help equip you as a parent and give you tools to help connect with your kids. A big part of that is understanding the environment your children are living in. Here are 3 pressures your middle school son may be facing:

1) Pressure to fit in

Time and time again I have seen middle schoolers do whatever it takes to fit the mold of the people around them. They will change who they are and how they act to fit the mold and be a part of the ‘in’ crowd.

This paired with the very deep fear of being singled out and made fun of can lead to middle schoolers acting very differently than they might on their own.

Encourage your middle school son to have his own voice and try and call out and celebrate his unique strengths and abilities. If every middle school in America had a few kids who were willing to hold to their values when challenged and stand up for their peers, the world would be a better place.

2) Pressure to be involved and excel in sports

So much value is placed on being an athlete among middle school boys. There can be real hurt when someone doesn’t make the team or get to start.

Whenever possible, try and encourage your son based on his effort. By teaching him to strive for his best, he will begin learn that his value is not based only on winning or losing.

If sports aren’t his thing, encourage your son to try things that he may be passionate about like music, the arts, or languages. Having a hobby or passion from a young age will give your son “identity capital” as he grows into a young man.

3) Pressure to talk about girls in a toxic way

So many middle school boys view their ability to cross physical boundaries as social currency and proof of their manliness. It’s extremely toxic and instills in young men that they should objectify girls.

The rise of pornography use and sexting among young people is astonishing and only further instills that objectifying women is the norm.

Whenever you can, try and help your son consider other people’s perspective and have conversations about the value of a person’s character.

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We built the Champion Tribes experience to help dads engage with their sons during this difficult transition. I highly encourage you to check it out and consider starting a Tribe today.

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