Are You Worried About Your Son, But Unsure How Bad His Issues Are?
Mentally put a checkmark next to the sentences below describing your teenager today, then add the number of checkmarks to score the results.
What are the Signs of a Troubled Teenager?
- EXPLOSIVE BEHAVIOR: Your teen refuses to abide by anything you say or request, and his resulting behaviors or bad tempers put you, him, or your family in danger or risk, leading to constant fear or stress in the home. It is like walking on pins and needles when your teen is home.
- MARKEDLY CHANGED BEHAVIOR: Your teen is displaying behavior that is a marked change from what has been expected of the teen in the past, such as sleeping too little or too long, forgetfulness (actual or convenient), excessive lack of motivation, growing aggression, sadness or anxiety, and severe mood swings, falling grades, missed school, blaming others, hating what they once loved or loving what they once hated, or spending most of their time alone.
- UNCARING: Your teen openly displays rebellion or outright hatred toward you or the family, no longer veiling their feelings nor caring about the future or the consequences of their actions or behaviors.
- DEFIANT: There is blatant ignorance or profound disrespect toward the boundaries and beliefs of your family and your home rules. Your teen can show this in passive aggressiveness or open defiance that is growing more excessive each day (it is not just a once in awhile outburst).
- SELF-DESTRUCTIVE: There are outright or veiled threats of suicide or running away, or the teen is self-mutilation or cutting, taking excessive risks, or using dangerous or illegal drugs or substances. Your teen has seemingly lost their conscience, forsaken all care for others, and no longer has a moral compass.
- DISRESPECTFUL: Treatment by your teen of people, pets, or your belongings is disrespectful, threatening, or out of control. Valued items or money in the home are damaged or missing without explanation.
ENTITLED: Your teen thinks he should be served and given more and more things and goes into temper tantrums when this doesn’t happen. He demands all of your and other family members’ attention, showing blatant disregard for others’ schedules, feelings, or possessions. Your teen has become extremely selfish and uncaring about others (outside their peer group).- OTHER TACTICS HAVE FAILED: Months of counseling, therapy, or medication have made little or no improvement in your teen’s behavior.
- HATRED FOR FAMILY: Your teen refuses to do anything family-related and displays a growing hostility and disgust for the family and anything you do or say. He refuses to attend family outings or special events or causes a commotion when attending.
- BAD INFLUENCERS: You cannot keep your teen away from new friends who are themselves getting into trouble and leading a lifestyle counter to your beliefs. Your teen mimics their clothing, appearance, talk, and destructive or illegal behaviors and attitudes.
Therapeutic boarding schools for boys who can handle their issues should be considered if your teen exhibits five or more signs. Once your teen is 18, he will be out of your control, so get help for them while you can.
Contrast the above list with what should be considered typical teenage behavior and attitudes:
- The teen cooperates with and cares for others
- He thinks realistically about their need for family and other people
- They are willing to do what it takes to accomplish positive life goals and prepare for the future
- They base their actions and behavior on convictions and beliefs rather than feelings and what their peers think
- They take care of their own needs without imposing on others or expecting others to serve them
- They treat people, pets, and things with respect
- They have feelings of purpose and excitement for their future
- They maintain relationships with family and positive friends, even in difficult times
- They define themselves without giving in to their peers or the culture.
Therapeutic Boarding Schools for Boys
Transforms Troubled Boys into Young Men of Character 
At the very first Teen Challenge therapeutic boarding school, we are still finding innovative new ways to help troubled boys, even after 40 years of service. We are a Christian therapeutic boarding school and ranch dedicated to aiding troubled boys get a new start in life.
Our approach to value education is very structured and disciplined. Teen Challenge utilizes a faith-based, integrated intervention model with Biblically based methods that incorporate concepts and techniques from various psychological approaches, all presented in a loving Christian environment. We see academic success as a key to your son’s long-term life success
As you search for therapeutic boarding schools for boys, consider our Teen Challenge boys ranch in Arkansas offers a nurturing environment where teenage boys 14-17 can find unconditional support and guidance. If your teen is suffering from behavior issues or depression or is making choices that cause harm to himself or others, we are here to help. Since 1973, we’ve been here to help boys suffering from a variety of personal issues, especially including self-destructive behavior and thoughtless attitudes, failing in school or school expulsion, addictions and drug use, reactive attachment disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD), PTSD, and depression.
To Find Out More About the Leading
Therapeutic Boarding Schools for Boys,
Please Complete Our Inquiry Form.
We look forward to talking to you about how we can help
you, your son, and your whole family.
Our heart’s desire goes beyond just impacting your son
but the restoration of the entire family.
Get Help For Your Son Now (888) 289-6818
