Adolescents’ Parents’ Metaphorical Perceptions Toward Adolescents

Abstract

This study examined the metaphorical perceptions of parents with adolescent children towards adolescents and being the parent of an adolescent. The qualitative study participants consisted of 102 parents whose children were at the 8-12 grade level in Ankara. The data were collected in the spring term of the 2019- 2020 academic year. The parents were asked to fill in the blanks: I think today's adolescents are like ... because ...... and Being the parent of an adolescent is like ... because .......... The themes that described adolescents involved egocentrism, sense of self and identity, storm and stress view, autonomy seek, and the effects of technology. The themes associated with being the parent of an adolescent included patience, parents as a guide/supervisor, and negative affectivity. The findings were discussed in light of different views in the relevant literature.