“Teenagers are a reflection of your parenting – everyone is judging”: Perceived Pressures and Coping Among Parents of Older Adolescents at the Transition

Parents face unique challenges as their children leave secondary school and advance into the emerging adulthood years. This study explores parents’, primarily mothers’, experiences of parenting as their children (16 – 19 years) were in their last months of school. Thirty Australian parents (28 mothers and 2 fathers) were individually interviewed. Reflexive thematic analyses revealed two overarching themes with seven subthemes. Overarching themes were the pressures of parenting an older adolescent and parents’ ways of coping with their revealed challenges and pressures. Four subthemes related to the pressures of parenting, including societal expectations and upward social comparison; national or global challenges that may limit youth’s opportunities; perceived judgment of parenting skill; and emotional demands. Three subthemes reflected coping with pressures: resisting the idea of a perfect parent; downward social comparisons; and adjusting parenting practices. The findings show that parents experience multiple pressures but draw on both cognitive and behavioral strategies in attempts to cope with these demands. These strategies help parents feel positive about their role and maintain their commitment to supporting their children as they enter emerging adulthood. The findings highlight the importance of reshaping cultural narratives around “perfect parenting” and encouraging balanced family communication to support healthier transitions to adulthood.