Teenagers in a shopping frenzy
Most young people enjoy and are interested in shopping, explains Doris Hohn-Freiburghaus, child and youth psychologist at the Burgdorf-Langnau BE educational counselling service. This has to do with the fact that shopping at this age means more than simply satisfying basic needs. Going shopping independently means finally being able to choose without parents. One's own style of clothing is a form of self-expression, certain products give you a sense of belonging to a group, a particular possession gets you attention from your peers. And last but not least, young people are influenced by role models from advertising and, increasingly, by fashion bloggers on YouTube and other networks. The high value placed on consumption by teenagers can therefore be explained in terms of developmental psychology and is to a certain extent «normal» for this age group. Attentive parents notice when their daughter's or son's shopping behaviour takes on problematic traits: For example, if they keep coming home with full shopping bags, if shopping becomes their main leisure activity or if they repeatedly spend more money than they have.
Attentive parents notice when their daughter's or son's shopping behaviour takes on problematic traits
If parents are concerned about their son or daughter's shopping behaviour, they should speak to the young person about their behaviour in an atmosphere of trust and without reproach. «Simply setting boundaries no longer works with teenagers. It really provokes the misbehaviour,» says psychotherapist Judith Bärtschi from her work with teenagers and parents. Through dialogue, parents can find out the reasons for the frequent shopping. And these usually lie deeper than the careless use of money. The young people concerned use purchases to compensate for unfulfilled social needs: for attention, self-realisation or a sense of belonging, for example. Discussions with parents can encourage young people to think about their purchasing behaviour. If the young people are «only» struggling to keep their spending within their means, parents can help them to better organise their money with a budget. Using money in such a way that it fulfils real individual needs ultimately requires a great deal of self-confidence and an attitude that is also oriented towards non-material values. Parents can support their children by modelling non-material values throughout their development.
Image: fotolia
This article was produced in collaboration with PostFinance.
MoneyFit tips:
- Unvoreingenommen ansprechen. Die meisten Jugendlichen shoppen gern und viel. Bei Sorge über den Konsum die Jugendlichen ohne Vorwürfe darauf ansprechen.
- Bedürfnisse spüren. Ein problematisches Konsumverhalten kann Ausdruck unerfüllter sozialer Bedürfnisse sein. Tiefer liegende Schwierigkeiten im Gespräch erfahren.
- Vorbild sein. Leben Sie in der Familie auch eine nichtmaterielle Werthaltung vor.
PostFinance
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