Raising Resilient Young People: Understanding and Supporting Behavioural Challenges

A few years ago, during one of our sessions at the University of Northampton where we brought parents and community organisations together, a single mum waited behind to speak with me. She looked a little weary but determined. Her son, just 16 at the time, had been struggling with behavioural challenges.

As she spoke, she told me what weighed most on her heart: the absence of a male role model in her son’s life. She and his father were no longer together, and she feared that this gap was shaping the way her son was beginning to see himself and the world around him.

She asked if we could step in and support them. We did. And over time, with the right guidance and encouragement, her son slowly began to regain his focus and sense of direction. It was a reminder to me of how much of a difference it makes when community steps in to stand beside a parent, and a young person, in moments like that.

Every parent or guardian wants to see their child thrive, succeed, and make positive choices. Yet many families today are confronted with the painful reality of behavioural challenges in young people- ranging from defiance at home, struggles in school, to more concerning issues like aggression, risky friendships, and even brushes with crime.

Why Behavioural Issues Arise

Behavioural problems in young people are rarely random. They are often symptoms of deeper struggles. Struggles like emotional distress, unmet needs, or negative influences. Peer pressure, lack of structure, and unresolved trauma can quickly shape how a young person behaves.

Research shows that family structure plays a key role. According to a UK Office for National Statistics report (ONS, 2023), children from single-parent households are statistically more likely to experience behavioural challenges. Studies highlight that young people growing up without a consistent male role model, whether a father or a trusted mentor, are at greater risk of developing behavioural difficulties, lower academic attainment, and reduced self-esteem.

This doesn’t mean single parents are destined to fail- far from it. It simply highlights that the absence of positive adult role models increases pressure on both the parent and the child.

A Story Too Familiar

Consider this story: Sarah, a single mother, was raising her 14-year-old son, Daniel. Daniel was bright, creative, and full of potential but without a consistent male figure in his life, he gravitated toward older peers in his neighbourhood. They offered him a sense of belonging that he wasn’t finding elsewhere. Within months, his behaviour at home became defiant, his school performance slipped, and he started skipping classes.

Sarah felt overwhelmed. She loved her son deeply but didn’t know how to break the cycle. What changed Daniel’s story was intervention. Through a community programme, he was paired with a mentor. A man who had walked a similar path but chose differently. Slowly, Daniel began to listen. With guidance, boundaries, and encouragement, his confidence returned, and he began redirecting his energy into sport and leadership opportunities.

Sarah’s story is not unique. Many single parents are doing their best, but the truth is, it takes a village to raise a child. A supportive community, extended family, schools, businesses, and organisations working together to provide the right environment.

How Can Parents, Families, and Communities Respond?

If you’re a parent, teacher, or community leader, here are ways you can support young people struggling with behaviour:

1. Create Safe Spaces for Dialogue

   Young people often act out when they don’t feel heard. Make time to listen without judgment.

2. Model Consistency and Boundaries

   Clear expectations and boundaries help children understand limits while feeling secure.

3. Encourage Positive Role Models

   If a father or male guardian is absent, encourage healthy mentorship through extended family, community leaders, or trusted organisations.

4. Monitor Peer Influence

   Friends shape behaviour. Stay informed about your child’s social circle and encourage friendships that build them up rather than pull them down.

5. Engage Schools and Programmes

   Schools and organisations like NXT Leaders exist to provide structured mentoring, leadership training, and community projects that redirect energy positively.

The Role of Community and Businesses

It’s not just parents who carry this responsibility. Businesses and community groups also play a vital role. By sponsoring mentorship programmes, providing work experience opportunities, or supporting youth projects, they create lifelines for young people who might otherwise slip through the cracks.

The Takeaway

Behavioural challenges in young people are not the end of the story. With the right mix of family support, positive role models, and community collaboration, young people can turn setbacks into stepping stones.

At NXT Leaders, we believe no young person should be defined by their mistakes or circumstances. With the right guidance, they can find their voice, redirect their path, and become the very leaders our communities need.

If you’re a parent, guardian, or community group seeking support, we’re here to walk with you. Together, we can raise resilient young people and build stronger communities.