Not all behaviours are equal

Over 2 U data is currently being collected with School District 22 families and teens as well as community adults in the North Okanagan. Here is what we are thinking:

We think that risk of harm to self or others restricts adolescents’ autonomy (independence) and encourages parents’ regulation (control). So, to see if their responses are consistent with our theory, we asked students and parents:

• who they believe currently regulates adolescents’ behaviours (adolescents alone, adolescents with help from parents, parents alone)
• who they think should regulate adolescents’ behavior.

The difference between who is ‘doing’ and who ‘should’ be responsible for actions indicates a desire for change in responsibilities (“over to you”).

Background

Our research on governance transfer started with the idea that parents are mostly helping their teens regulate the sorts of behaviours that might be harmful to teens or others. Behaviours that are less dangerous would likely be the responsibility of adolescents. To test this idea, we divided activities into four types – based on principles of harm and offense.  Here are the four types we use in Over 2 U:

Private and personal behaviors are not harmful (for example, choosing what clothes to wear). We expect adolescents to be mostly responsible for these behaviours with occasional help from parents.
Conventional behaviors are guided by social norms. If someone does not follow the social rules or norms, such as not waiting in line for a bus stop, other people might be offended. We expect parents and teens to regulate these behaviours together. As adolescents grow older, they will likely regulate more of these behaviours.
Prudential behaviours are those actions that might cause harm to teens such as drinking alcohol or not wearing a helmet. Parents probably help adolescents learn to regulate these behaviours.
Moral behaviors harm others – such as stealing or bullying someone. The potential for harm to others means parents are likely to be involved in helping adolescents regulate these behaviours.