The upbringing of teenagers and making demands

Abstract

Responsible upbringing means that educators show unconditional love to their pupils, and, simultaneously, they place demands on them that are necessary for achieving psychosocial, spiritual and religious maturity. Love without demands leads to a spoiled character, and making demands without supporting young people with love leads to discouragement, loss of faith in their own abilities or rebellion. The educator, following Jesus' example, places high demands first on himself, because he wants to understand his pupils and protect them not only from negative environmental pressures, but also from their own weaknesses. The educator requires the pupils to learn wisdom, diligence and love. From other adults he expects that they cooperate in the process of forming a young generation. He can strongly defend his pupils against those adults who demoralise or obstruct the process of upbringing.