Adolescent Autonomy---A Thing to be Redefined in Indian Families

Abstract

This review paper depicts two different perspectives about adolescent autonomy and traces the history of conceptual development of adolescent autonomy in psychology. Autonomy supportive parenting as put forward by Self determination theory is found to be best way for ensuring autonomous development of adolescents. Study observes that Indian families under collectivistic culture was always reluctant to autonomous functioning of adolescents. Misconceptions and lack of proper awareness about the very concept of autonomy exhorted this trend in Indian families. Lately, influx of individualistic culture due to globalization has made autonomy supportive parenting a necessity in Indian families with adolescents, as traditional parenting standards and values are losing their ground in parent-adolescent relationship. Study observes, suitable parental training programmes aimed to sensitize parents about various aspects of adolescent autonomous functioning as the remedy to the situation.