There have been many TV shows and movies over the years that portrayed the story of a troubled teen boy or girl who attended military school and made huge changes. Also, sending a struggling teenager to military school was a common threat in these forms of media.
This constant messaging plays a large part in why many parents of troubled teens consider military school to help their child. However, the myths behind military schools are far different from the reality, making military school an inappropriate place for teenagers struggling with emotional or behavioral issues.
Military School Myths Make It Appealing To Struggling Parents
There are a number of myths that surround military schools. These myths can make these schools seem very appealing when a parent is on their last shred of patience with their teen’s behavior.
Let’s start with the myth that military school is all about discipline. As military schools are designed to be similar to real-life military training, there is a great deal of discipline. The problem is that discipline can send the wrong message to your struggling teen. Instead of seeing the discipline as something they can benefit from, most troubled teens get the message that if someone has enough power, they can make others do what the discipliner wants.
Also, while there are some military schools that accept students with behavioral issues, many do not. As these schools are designed to help teens prepare for a career in the military, the schools make it clear that they want only exceptional students who are prepared to succeed.
Lastly, and most importantly, military-style discipline is no substitute for therapeutic treatment when it comes to behavioral and emotional issues. For instance, it can seem like a teen that has an explosive temper and often skips school can benefit from greater discipline. And while increased discipline should be part of the teen’s growth, therapy is needed to address the source of the anger and delinquency.
Therapeutic Treatment Is More Effective Than Military School
Therapeutic treatment at a residential treatment center for troubled teens combines the structure and discipline that parents are looking for in military schools with immersive therapy. Beyond the therapy and discipline, attending therapeutic treatment at a residential treatment center offers your teen so much more.
For instance, when a teen is accepted in a residential treatment program, a personalized care plan is created for them with all the key staff. From reviewing your teen’s academic needs to consider what courses of therapy will be most effective, your teenager will receive tailored help. In contrast, military schools expect students to conform rather than work with a student’s needs.
Along those lines, military schools work on honing students’ minds and bodies. However, this focus leaves out the emotional and spiritual aspects that should be addressed with growing teens.
As residential treatment centers are centered around the therapeutical, achieving mind, body, emotion, and spiritual balance is part of the treatment program. While some residential treatment centers are religiously affiliated, many others—such as Liahona—are non-denominational and follow the parents’ wishes on any spiritual matters.
With the more holistic treatment at a residential treatment center, teens will learn how to manage their stressors, put their struggles into perspective, and have more effective coping tools than military school could ever offer.
Liahona Treatment Center Can Help Your Teenage Son
Now, there are many residential treatment centers out there, but the quality can vary. Here at Liahona Treatment Center, we have a reputation for excellent care and have helped countless teenage boys find their way back to the right path.
With our strong emphasis on immersive therapy, a robust educational program, focus on skill-building, and respect for the teens in our care, the students are able to thrive and achieve in ways that weren’t possible before.
There is much more to know about Liahona and how we can help your teenage boy back onto the right track. To learn more and talk with one of our program advisors, we encourage you to contact us today and see if Liahona is the right place for your son.
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