November 4, 2024 International Trending News Stories

Dr. Natanya Wachtel Deconstructs the Myths around Modern Parenting and Explains How It Is Evolving

The crisis of teen mental health is deepening as more and more young people struggle with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. But what role does parenting and family life play in this crisis?

Dr. Natanya Wachtel has dedicated her career to exploring behavioral sciences and decoding the myths and difficulties surrounding mental health. Capitalizing on her expertise, she offers valuable insight into how we can create safe and supportive environments in which our teens can thrive.

To make a substantial difference in teens’ mental health practices, she co-founded the AI empathy application evrmore.io to help teenagers handle the stress of the modern world. Her efforts also encompass breaking the myths and doubts around modern parenting as it carries a significant impact on teen mental health.

As a former therapist, Dr. Natanya has seen firsthand how people struggle with mental health issues without seeking help, a silent battle that leaves them feeling isolated and alone. The situation is worse for teenagers.

Adults often treat teens’ mental health issues as insubstantial and unreal. When shown evidence of the increasing epidemic of mental illnesses, they retort with insensitive statements such as ‘It’s all in your head’ or ‘Everyone claims to be mentally ill to get attention nowadays.’

Dr. Natanya counters this ignorant attitude with statistical information – in an episode of the podcast Normalize the Conversation, she shares that in 2021, approximately 44% of high school students displayed signs of depression when just a decade ago, it was nearly 26%. This is double the amount in such a short period. Given this disturbing situation, Dr. Natanya suggests imperative interventions to control the situation.

One way is to change the modern parenting style. Dr. Natanya notes that for Gen X, open conversation around feelings and emotions was impossible. A gulf exists between parents and their children, where honest two-way communication cannot occur.

Problems and Myths Around Modern Parenting

For Gen Z, there are other problems when it comes to the family structure. In today’s hyper-capitalistic age, with an emphasis on establishing a successful career, parents are more focused on giving their children the best education possible, protecting them excessively from the outside world while putting pressure on them to be perfect.

Dr. Natanya breaks the myth that this modern parenting style benefits a child’s mental health and growth. Continued exposure to such an attitude can damage a child’s resilience and adjustment to any unpleasant situation.

A child protected by such obsessive love and burdened with the pressure of perfection is often more scared of failure, easily overwhelmed, and vulnerable to anxiety and depression.

In their concern to protect the child, parents transfer their worries to them, rendering them incapable of dealing with the inevitable changes characteristic of human existence.

Reforming the Parenting Style

Dr. Natanya suggests some remedies for this parenting style. She encourages parents to let teenagers get a job. Participating in chores can make teens more responsible and help them in branching out. It can also enable them to deal with inevitable, unpredictable life changes as they experience the world outside of their parents’ overprotective cocoon. It will equip them to deal with failures and rejection without serious mental implications.

She also recommends replacing online socializing with real-life interactions. It can lead to more meaningful communication about any issues that teens are going through. Here, parents should play a pivotal role and create an open environment to express negative feelings and experiences. Start by simply asking about their day – the child will eventually recognize your concern and share more.

Dr. Nayanya further advises parents to share their failures with their children. It will shatter the idea of ‘the perfect parents’ and make them seem more human, opening avenues for an honest two-way conversation. Parents should also research the issues of modern teenagers to better understand the context of their child’s problems.

Although parenting style is still not as open as it should be, we are sure that with professionals like Dr. Natanya raising awareness, family units will undergo a major improvement. This development will create an emotionally healthy environment for both teenagers and parents.

To keep up with her plans, follow Dr. Natanya on her LinkedIn.

Related Posts

Not Just a Gift Shop – Monster Offers Art & Craft Classes to the Seattle Community

August 1, 2023

August 1, 2023

Having an educational side to business models is becoming common today. Rosalie Gale, the co-owner of Monster – a gift...

From Wedding DJ to Ring Announcing: Jack Farmer’s Journey To Becoming a Successful Host

January 18, 2023

January 18, 2023

While the entertainment industry is both fun and vibrant, it still takes a lot of effort and hustle to get...

Get To Know Dr. Cameron Chesnut, One of the Top Eyelid and Facial Plastic Surgeons

February 1, 2023

February 1, 2023

Nowadays, when self-acceptance and self-esteem seem more dependent on looks and appearance than the overall personality, cosmetic surgery and getting...

Going Against The Societal Norms – How Brittany O’Connor Became a Dance Icon

February 20, 2024

February 20, 2024

Life’s victories come in different forms, and true success lies in overcoming adversity, finding one’s purpose, and achieving it despite...

John Lohrenz: Neurochange Practitioner and Former Wall Street Veteran on a Mission to Change Lives Through Holistic Lifestyle Planning

July 17, 2023

July 17, 2023

How often do we take a moment to pause and reflect on our lives? Doing so can be difficult, especially...

From Graphic Design to PR Maestro: The Evolution of Dulce Lopez

July 28, 2024

July 28, 2024

Creativity flows through some people like a river, making them naturals for the imaginative playgrounds of marketing, PR, and graphic...

Meet Kique Gomez: A Talented Bisexual Musician and the Voice Finalist

March 5, 2023

March 5, 2023

A 19-year-old young man with passion and immense love for music, singer, and performer Kique Gomez is gifted and has...

Nathan Sharma,  the High-Spirited COO of NIWE Academy, Is Inspiring People to Settle For Nothing Less than What They Desire 

February 24, 2023

February 24, 2023

We have often heard people say the struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need tomorrow. It may...

Princess April Brings Diversity to Modeling with Her Asian Heritage and Apt Skills

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

You may have felt a sense of exclusion while browsing through a modeling catalog and not finding a face that...

Hounder Digital Design & Development Breaks the Mold: Behind the Scenes of a Leading Technology Agency

May 22, 2023

May 22, 2023

Thriving in the tech industry despite the cut-throat competition takes certain qualities. While most companies in the software services industry...

From Participating in Olympic Trials to Writing Heart-Felt Poetry, All-Rounder Leah Eber Does It All!

May 25, 2023

May 25, 2023

Curiosity and imaginative play are two defining qualities of a creative person. Creative people never limit themselves to the prescribed...

Meet Jeremy Jenson, Content Creator, Podcast Host & Business Influencer Behind the Largest Privately Held Executive Search Firm in Houston

May 20, 2022

May 20, 2022

Life can be full of challenges. And life in the fast lane can tire people out. Usually, an exceptional individual...

A Second Degree Burn Made Him Viral on Tiktok, and now Neyo White is Launching an Organic Skincare Brand

July 12, 2022

July 12, 2022

We all want and think about diversifying our income and end up asking ourselves, “How do I achieve that?” Well,...

Steve Sidd’s Take on Tech Innovation in Hospitality and Catering Business

March 1, 2023

March 1, 2023

Technology and business have become inextricably interwoven. Technology is the most empowering innovation that humans have acquired. This is why...

Founders of Ruhls of the Road, Julie and Zach Ruhl, Share Essential Tips for Traveling with a Baby

January 16, 2023

January 16, 2023

“Travel now because once you have kids, those days are over.” These words were something that Zach Ruhl and his...