Teens and young adults who rioted in Los Angeles earlier this month were acting out anger, a behavior that is all too common among children and young people in our society, according to a clinical psychologist who will present a program Saturday for parents on anger in children.
Clinical psychologist Antoinette Saunders said more than 70 percent of the children referred to the six Chicago-area children`s mental health counseling centers under her direction are struggling to understand and manage their anger.
”All children feel that their job is to get attention,” Saunders said.
”They test their limits. When they find adults giving them predictable reactions, they feel safe and loved.
”But a lot of kids today aren`t getting that kind of attention and the rioting and arson are examples of the extremes kids will go to to say `I`m afraid, out of control.` ”
Parents need to learn to teach children that anger is healthy when expressed constructively, Saunders said. Her seminar this week will offer parents options and approaches for dealing with kids` anger.
Saunders said the primary reason for the rising number of angry children is the lack of attention they get in homes racked by divorce or the stresses of two-parent careers. Children`s anger is increased by disturbing world events, she said.
”Take injustice. Any parent of a teenager knows that they say, `That`s not fair,` all the time,” Saunders said. ”Every other word has to do with being fair or just.
Saunders will discuss how to help children direct their anger.
”Depression is anger turned inward and we certainly see a lot of depressed children,” she said. ”We need to teach them that getting anger out doesn`t have to be done in a destructive way. Older children can write it out. Younger children can draw pictures. The point is getting it out of your body.”
Saunders has been counseling children in the Chicago area since 1978. The six Capable Kid Counseling Centers she directs take referrals from hospitals and health maintenance organizations.
The ”Helping the Angry Child” seminar will be 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Chicago Children`s Museum, 435 E. Illinois St.
It is co-sponsored by Capable Kid Counseling Centers and Chicago Parent Newsmagazine. Admission is $4 a person, $7 a couple in advance, or $6 a person, $9 a couple at the door. For more information ,call 708-386-5555.
