Talking to Dad

Research shows that mothers are far more likely than fathers to discuss problems and have close personal talks with their teenage children. As a result, teenage boys and girls both say they feel freer to go to their mothers than their fathers to talk openly and discuss problems. In fact, when teenagers responded to the statement: "This person and I always talk openly to each other," out of four choices (father, mother, close male friend, or close female friend), only 4% of sons and 1% of daughters chose "father." Teens tell me that they want desperately to be able to talk with their dads, but they'll stop trying if they think they aren't being heard.