Sania Zubairi

• Adolescence is a turbulent but necessary journey, and parents must embrace patience, empathy, and imperfection.
• Listening, validating, and trusting teens is far more effective than controlling or constantly correcting them.
• Parenting teens is about showing unconditional love, fostering open communication, and understanding that growth comes with mistakes.

When the coming-of-age film Adolescence hit Netflix, it resonated deeply with viewers — not just teens, but also parents trying to understand the storm of emotions, rebellion, and growth their children go through.
Through its raw and real portrayal, Adolescence offers powerful lessons that parents can learn to better navigate this delicate phase of life.

Here are 10 compelling lessons every parent should watch out for:

1. Adolescence is Chaotic — and That’s Normal

The film reminds us that teenage years are often messy, emotional, and confusing. Parents shouldn’t expect constant order or rationality. Chaos is part of the growth process — patience matters more than control.

2. Listening Matters More Than Lecturing

In Adolescence, many breakdowns happen because adults assume rather than ask. Teens crave to be heard, not preached to. Open-ended listening — without immediate judgment — builds more trust than any lecture ever could.

3. Pain Isn’t Always Visible

The protagonist carries hidden wounds that aren’t obvious on the surface. Parents need to look beyond grades, behavior, and sarcasm — and tune into the subtle signs of emotional struggles teens may be masking.

4. Freedom Builds Responsibility

Adolescence shows that overly strict environments often backfire. Giving teens measured freedom — while being a safety net — teaches decision-making far better than rigid control.

5. Friends Are Their Lifeline

For teens, peer relationships sometimes feel more critical than family ties. Instead of seeing friends as “bad influences” by default, parents should encourage healthy friendships and offer guidance without ultimatums.

6. Validation Is Vital

The film highlights how feeling unseen or dismissed can push teens toward risky behaviors. A simple “I see how hard this is for you” can do wonders for a teenager’s self-worth — and steer them away from destructive paths.

7. Adolescence Isn’t a Straight Line

Progress and setbacks dance together. Just like the film’s protagonist, teens will stumble, regress, and make mistakes — and it’s all part of their messy journey toward adulthood.

8. Parents Aren’t Perfect — And That’s Okay

Adolescence portrays flawed parents struggling with their own issues. It’s a gentle reminder that you don’t have to be a perfect parent; you just need to be a present, consistent one who keeps trying.

9. Unconditional Love Needs Reinforcement

Teens often test whether your love has limits. Adolescence shows how vital it is to remind your child — again and again — that even when they mess up, your love remains unwavering.

10. Healing Takes Time

There’s no overnight solution for teen struggles. Growth, healing, and emotional maturity happen gradually. Parents who stay patient, keep showing up, and offer a steady presence through the storms are giving their kids the greatest gift.

Stay tuned to WOW360.

• Child marriages in Pakistan remain widespread, driven by poverty, tradition, and weak law enforcement.

• Girls married young face serious physical, emotional, and educational consequences, losing out on their rights and potential.

• Ending child marriage requires stronger laws, community awareness, and educational opportunities for every girl.

Child marriages in Pakistan are a harsh and heartbreaking reality. While the world moves toward progress and empowerment, countless young girls across Pakistan are being forced into early marriages—often before they even understand what marriage truly means. These unions not only rob children of their innocence but also deprive them of education, health, and a future of their own choosing. The issue persists in both rural and urban areas, driven by poverty, tradition, and lack of enforcement of protective laws.

The Roots of the Problem

In many parts of Pakistan, child marriage is seen as a cultural norm rather than a human rights violation. Families, often struggling financially, marry off their daughters young to reduce household expenses or settle disputes. The idea of “honor” also plays a key role, with parents believing that marrying girls early will protect their family’s reputation.

Despite the legal age of marriage being 18 for boys and 16 for girls (18 in Sindh), loopholes and weak enforcement allow underage marriages to take place quietly. In some regions, girls as young as 10 are wed off, often to much older men.

The Impact on Young Lives

Child brides face devastating consequences. Physically, their bodies are not ready for pregnancy, leading to increased risks of maternal and infant mortality. Psychologically, they are often isolated, pulled out of school, and subjected to domestic abuse. Education takes a backseat. A girl married at 13 is unlikely to return to school, cutting off her chances of economic independence. Her dreams are replaced with household duties, and her voice is silenced under the weight of tradition.

Voices of Hope and Change

Amid the grim reality, there are glimmers of hope. NGOs, activists, and grassroots organizations across Pakistan are working to raise awareness, push for stronger legislation, and empower girls through education. Campaigns such as “Girls Not Brides” and “Empower Her” aim to educate communities about the dangers of child marriage and the importance of letting girls grow up with dignity and choice.

What Needs to Be Done

To end child marriage in Pakistan, a multifaceted approach is essential:

• Stronger enforcement of laws that prohibit child marriage nationwide.

• Widespread awareness campaigns in local languages targeting parents and community leaders.

• Access to education and healthcare for all girls, especially in rural areas.

• Empowerment initiatives that build confidence and skills in young girls.

Conclusion

Child marriages in Pakistan are not just a statistic—they are shattered dreams, lost childhoods, and stolen futures. Ending this crisis requires not just laws on paper, but hearts that care, communities that speak up, and leaders that act. Every girl deserves the right to choose her own path—not be forced into adulthood before she’s ready.

Stay tuned to WOW360.