Adolescent period is the most crucial time for teenagers. Their body experiences so many changes that they have to accept and live with it. This is the time where their hormones surge up, the reason why teenagers are prone to sudden change of moods. They are becoming sensitive that even small things matter to them.
At this point of time, a sense of belongingness raises up especially at school. It is very important for them to have friends. Let us face the reality that there are criteria why a group of teenagers accept or not accept your teens at school. Aside from how good you are in academics and how thick is your pocket, how you also matters. It is not necessarily to be beautiful nor handsome but it is how tidy you are.
Proper hygiene plays a very essential role to teenagers’ life, being neat boosts their confidence. If the parents inculcate proper hygiene at their very young age it won’t be a problem as they turned adolescents. A well-groomed teen won’t have a problem fitting in into a group of people.
Parents play a vital part in their child’s hygiene because they serve as their role model. If a child sees how their parents value their body, it will be a habit for them to take care of their body too. Talking to them about cleaning their body will also a big help. Parents may tell them the things they have to remember when it comes to their body. These things include body odour, at puberty stage the sweat glands in their armpits and genitals have developed. Bacteria on skin feeds on sweat causes them smell sweaty, and worse it may lead to serious body odour. That is why washing their body after a strenuous activity will help reduce the build-up of bacteria. They may also use anti-perspiring deodorant.
Smelly feet can also cause problem to developing self-esteem of a teenager, he can be a “talk of his classmates”. It can be avoided by giving extra effort to clean every part of their feet and make sure that they are already dry before wearing socks. Wearing of cotton socks may prevent this problem.
Dental hygiene is also one of the important things that a teenager must observe. O avoid having bad breath, gum problems and tooth decay they have to brush twice a day and going to dentist regularly.
For girls, at puberty they will start having periods. Parents especially the mother can talk to her daughter about how many times her daughter must change her pads and how to dispose it hygienically. For boys, dad can teach them how to shave and how to react to wet dreams. Having wet dreams is not avoidable, so a father can teach young boys how to do it hygienically.
Always remember, a clean and a healthy body is a treasure that you must take care of.
By: DAN-EMEL V. BAUTISTA | TEACHER I | LUAKAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
