School suspension is a tool schools use to discipline bad or reckless behavior. It also serves to prevent future instances of misbehavior. If you regularly talk to your teen about school life, you might find out that it is common for teens to be suspended from school. In fact, over 5% of public school students receive out-of-school suspensions, with the problem being more prevalent in boys than girls. Although common, it should not be minimized or seen as a non-issue. As a parent or guardian, you should take suspension seriously, as it can disrupt your teen’s school performance.
Additionally, it can become a habit and cause social, emotional, academic, and reputational damage to your teen’s life, which may lead to the beginning or continuation of mental health issues or risk-taking behaviors. This article aims to help parents understand the common reasons behind teen suspensions, how to handle suspensions, and how to prevent future suspensions. It also offers behavioral health treatment solutions for teens who may be struggling with various mental health conditions. Reach out to our teen mental health treatmentprogram if you are interested in learning more.
Common Reasons for Teen Sons Being Suspended
According to the American Psychological Association, teen boys do worse in school across every metric compared to girls. Thestudy noted that boys are diagnosed with learning disabilities at a higher rate, and their school performance is worse compared to girls. The study also concluded that teen boys are more unlikely to graduate from high school than their female peers. These results show a worrying trend among teen boys. Some common reasons why your teenage boy might get suspended include the following:
Physical Fights and Aggressive Behavior
As boys enter adolescence, they may begin exhibiting signs of aggressive behavior. Many people blame this aggression on testosterone or that their son is going through a rough patch. The thing with aggression is that it does not cure itself; it tends to become worse if left unchecked. Your teen boy may be getting into violent situations with their friends due to reasons like emotional dysregulation, bullying, and peer pressure. Once your teen gets into a fight at school, they are likely to be suspended for bad behavior and misconduct. As a parent or guardian, you must understand why your teen is behaving aggressively and help them deal with such behavior. Addressing aggressive behavior early will prevent future occurrences.
Bullying and Intimidation
Boys tend to use their strength and size to bully their peers or schoolmates. Bullying may be a sign that your teen is suffering from emotional dysregulation and lacks conflict-resolution skills. If your teen is caught bullying or harassing others, they will likely get suspended to protect their schoolmates. As a parent or guardian, identifying the underlying causes of this type of intimidation is vital to help your teen.
Defiance and Authority Problems
All teenagers crave independence and freedom. While exploring their freedom, they may test boundaries and challenge authority. Teen boys tend to refuse to follow the rules since they may not understand the repercussions of such defiance. Continued defiance of authority figures in school may get your son suspended. As a parent or guardian, it is critical to teach your teen boy to respect their teachers in school.
Common Reasons for Teen Daughters Being Suspended
Teen girls are not that different from boys. They crave independence and freedom while going through physical and emotional changes. However, the reasons why they might get suspended may differ. Some common reasons for the suspension of teen girls include the following:
Verbal Conflict and Emotional Outbursts
Teenage girls go through a lot in school. They are less likely to engage in physical fights, however, they may resort to insults to verbalize conflicts. Teen girls engage in verbal altercations that may lead to suspension. As a parent or guardian, you should pay attention to your teen girl’s outbursts and address negative behavior immediately. You should also try identifying the underlying causes of your teen’s verbal altercations and outbursts.
Cyberbullying and Social Media Misuse
In the digital age, cyberbullying has become a problem for most teens. Some girls on social media use their anonymity to harass and bully others based on appearance, opinions, and family issues. Many teen girls use social media to fuel negativity and promote unrealistic expectations that have been set by society. As a parent or guardian, you should sensitize your teen on proper social media use and the consequences of cyberbullying.
Truancy and Academic Dishonesty
Some teens skip class to hang out with their friends. If your teen girl is skipping school, it is crucial that you address the behavior immediately. Unexcused absences affect your teen’s academic performance, which may leave them playing catch-up with their colleagues. When skipping school persists, schools have no choice but to suspend your teen. This makes them even more behind on schoolwork and affects their academic performance negatively. As a parent or guardian, you should ensure that your teen attends classes religiously by sparking their interest in school. This can be done through rewarding positive behavior and punishing negative behavior.
How To Respond Constructively To Your Teen’s Suspension
What can you do now that your teen has been suspended? Here are some dos and don’ts when your teen is suspended.
Get the facts. As a parent or guardian, it is crucial that you get both sides of the story. Listen to your teen’s explanation while considering the narrative you received from school. This enables you to determine the accuracy of the situation and the underlying causes of your teen’s behavior. If your teen was suspended because of a behavioral issue, you can choose the best course of action. Teens struggling with mental health challenges require additional support, which may be lacking in school. This is not to excuse any misconduct your teen may have engaged in, but can help put them on a more productive path.
Criticize the behavior, not the person. Criticism can be difficult for teens. As a parent or guardian, you should criticize the behavior and discuss how it affects others and why it should not be repeated. Avoid using harsh language and understand that mistakes do happen, but also be clear about what you expect moving forward.
Make an appointment with a school administrator or teacher. Since your teen spends most of their time in school, teachers may be better placed to help you develop a path forward. They offer valuable insights on how you can assist your teen academically and emotionally. A meeting with an administrator to discuss the incident may also set the record straight and ensure that you understand the school’s side.
Ensure that your teen will not be left behind academically. Your teen can be suspended for varying periods, which may cause them to be disadvantaged in school. Always ensure your teen is all caught up with their assignments and school work during their suspension.
Avoid speaking negatively about teachers in school in general. What you say can be emulated by your teen and exasperate their issues. They may even begin to feel justified in their actions.
Identifying Underlying Behavioral or Emotional Issues
Many teens struggle with mental health challenges. As a parent or guardian, you may think your teen’s suspension is a singular event, but it may be a sign of underlying behavioral issues. You should be concerned with the causes of your teen’s behavior and look to address this.
Some common mental health issues that may cause your teen to exhibit negative behavior at school include the following:
Major depression
Teen anxiety
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Bipolar disorder
Substance use disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Conduct disorder
If you suspect that your teen is struggling with an underlying mental health condition, it may be time to seek professional help. At Nexus Teen Academy, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality teen mental health treatment for families at our teen residential treatment center in Arizona. Our highly skilled staff provides tailored treatment for troubled teens. Our services include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and residential treatment for girls and boys. Contact us today to find out more.
Preventing Future Suspensions
How can parents prevent their kids from future suspensions? Here is a list of what to do to avoid future school problems:
Build trust through open communication. Many parents underestimate the power of effective and open communication. If your teen feels seen and heard, they will likely be more trusting in sharing their issues with you. This ensures you can find solutions together before things get out of hand.
Address underlying mental health challenges. Your teen’s mental health is crucial in preventing future behavioral issues. As a parent or guardian, ensure your teen receives high-quality treatment to improve their mental health.
Set clear boundaries and expectations. Clear boundaries communicate your values and principles. Your teen will understand what is considered acceptable and what is not. It is crucial that you set healthy boundaries to help your teen be assertive and confident.
Encourage your teen to take responsibility for their actions. Many teens do not understand the consequences of their actions. Teach them to take responsibility and equip them with effective life skills.
Conclusion
In conclusion, teen suspensions can be caused by several reasons, including underlying mental health issues, social media misuse, bullying and cyberbullying, and aggressive behavior. As parents and guardians, it is your responsibility to ensure your teen takes responsibility for their misconduct. Punish them appropriately while considering that they may be struggling with their mental health. Do not dismiss behavioral issues as just “going through puberty.” Some behavioral issues may be signs of an underlying issue, and if your teen is struggling with mental health issues, contact Nexus Teen Academy today to get your teen the help they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How can I help my teen son avoid physical confrontations at school?
Communication and exploration can help your teen stop getting into physical altercations. Explore the underlying causes of their violence and ensure the cause is addressed.
2. My teen daughter was suspended for cyberbullying—how do I address this issue at home?
As a parent, you should address cyberbullying very seriously. You need to create an open and trusting environment to address it at home. Discuss with your teen why they feel the need to bully others on the internet. Set clear boundaries and explain the consequences of cyberbullying.
3. Can suspensions affect my teen’s academic record or future college applications?
This will depend on the colleges and universities that your teen is applying for. While it may affect admissions to some institutions, many colleges still accept students who have been suspended in the past.
Steps to Support Your Teen after a School Suspension
Published By nexus_admin
Published On February 17, 2025
Table of Contents
School suspension is a tool schools use to discipline bad or reckless behavior. It also serves to prevent future instances of misbehavior. If you regularly talk to your teen about school life, you might find out that it is common for teens to be suspended from school. In fact, over 5% of public school students receive out-of-school suspensions, with the problem being more prevalent in boys than girls. Although common, it should not be minimized or seen as a non-issue. As a parent or guardian, you should take suspension seriously, as it can disrupt your teen’s school performance.
Additionally, it can become a habit and cause social, emotional, academic, and reputational damage to your teen’s life, which may lead to the beginning or continuation of mental health issues or risk-taking behaviors. This article aims to help parents understand the common reasons behind teen suspensions, how to handle suspensions, and how to prevent future suspensions. It also offers behavioral health treatment solutions for teens who may be struggling with various mental health conditions. Reach out to our teen mental health treatment program if you are interested in learning more.
Common Reasons for Teen Sons Being Suspended
According to the American Psychological Association, teen boys do worse in school across every metric compared to girls. The study noted that boys are diagnosed with learning disabilities at a higher rate, and their school performance is worse compared to girls. The study also concluded that teen boys are more unlikely to graduate from high school than their female peers. These results show a worrying trend among teen boys. Some common reasons why your teenage boy might get suspended include the following:
Physical Fights and Aggressive Behavior
As boys enter adolescence, they may begin exhibiting signs of aggressive behavior. Many people blame this aggression on testosterone or that their son is going through a rough patch. The thing with aggression is that it does not cure itself; it tends to become worse if left unchecked. Your teen boy may be getting into violent situations with their friends due to reasons like emotional dysregulation, bullying, and peer pressure. Once your teen gets into a fight at school, they are likely to be suspended for bad behavior and misconduct. As a parent or guardian, you must understand why your teen is behaving aggressively and help them deal with such behavior. Addressing aggressive behavior early will prevent future occurrences.
Bullying and Intimidation
Boys tend to use their strength and size to bully their peers or schoolmates. Bullying may be a sign that your teen is suffering from emotional dysregulation and lacks conflict-resolution skills. If your teen is caught bullying or harassing others, they will likely get suspended to protect their schoolmates. As a parent or guardian, identifying the underlying causes of this type of intimidation is vital to help your teen.
Defiance and Authority Problems
All teenagers crave independence and freedom. While exploring their freedom, they may test boundaries and challenge authority. Teen boys tend to refuse to follow the rules since they may not understand the repercussions of such defiance. Continued defiance of authority figures in school may get your son suspended. As a parent or guardian, it is critical to teach your teen boy to respect their teachers in school.
Common Reasons for Teen Daughters Being Suspended
Teen girls are not that different from boys. They crave independence and freedom while going through physical and emotional changes. However, the reasons why they might get suspended may differ. Some common reasons for the suspension of teen girls include the following:
Verbal Conflict and Emotional Outbursts
Teenage girls go through a lot in school. They are less likely to engage in physical fights, however, they may resort to insults to verbalize conflicts. Teen girls engage in verbal altercations that may lead to suspension. As a parent or guardian, you should pay attention to your teen girl’s outbursts and address negative behavior immediately. You should also try identifying the underlying causes of your teen’s verbal altercations and outbursts.
Cyberbullying and Social Media Misuse
In the digital age, cyberbullying has become a problem for most teens. Some girls on social media use their anonymity to harass and bully others based on appearance, opinions, and family issues. Many teen girls use social media to fuel negativity and promote unrealistic expectations that have been set by society. As a parent or guardian, you should sensitize your teen on proper social media use and the consequences of cyberbullying.
Truancy and Academic Dishonesty
Some teens skip class to hang out with their friends. If your teen girl is skipping school, it is crucial that you address the behavior immediately. Unexcused absences affect your teen’s academic performance, which may leave them playing catch-up with their colleagues. When skipping school persists, schools have no choice but to suspend your teen. This makes them even more behind on schoolwork and affects their academic performance negatively. As a parent or guardian, you should ensure that your teen attends classes religiously by sparking their interest in school. This can be done through rewarding positive behavior and punishing negative behavior.
How To Respond Constructively To Your Teen’s Suspension
What can you do now that your teen has been suspended? Here are some dos and don’ts when your teen is suspended.
Identifying Underlying Behavioral or Emotional Issues
Many teens struggle with mental health challenges. As a parent or guardian, you may think your teen’s suspension is a singular event, but it may be a sign of underlying behavioral issues. You should be concerned with the causes of your teen’s behavior and look to address this.
Some common mental health issues that may cause your teen to exhibit negative behavior at school include the following:
If you suspect that your teen is struggling with an underlying mental health condition, it may be time to seek professional help. At Nexus Teen Academy, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality teen mental health treatment for families at our teen residential treatment center in Arizona. Our highly skilled staff provides tailored treatment for troubled teens. Our services include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and residential treatment for girls and boys. Contact us today to find out more.
Preventing Future Suspensions
How can parents prevent their kids from future suspensions? Here is a list of what to do to avoid future school problems:
Conclusion
In conclusion, teen suspensions can be caused by several reasons, including underlying mental health issues, social media misuse, bullying and cyberbullying, and aggressive behavior. As parents and guardians, it is your responsibility to ensure your teen takes responsibility for their misconduct. Punish them appropriately while considering that they may be struggling with their mental health. Do not dismiss behavioral issues as just “going through puberty.” Some behavioral issues may be signs of an underlying issue, and if your teen is struggling with mental health issues, contact Nexus Teen Academy today to get your teen the help they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Communication and exploration can help your teen stop getting into physical altercations. Explore the underlying causes of their violence and ensure the cause is addressed.
As a parent, you should address cyberbullying very seriously. You need to create an open and trusting environment to address it at home. Discuss with your teen why they feel the need to bully others on the internet. Set clear boundaries and explain the consequences of cyberbullying.
This will depend on the colleges and universities that your teen is applying for. While it may affect admissions to some institutions, many colleges still accept students who have been suspended in the past.