Howdy,
I've seen most posts in this forum relate to young kids, but as a youth worker, I need some advice on how to respond to parents. One of the youth I've recently gotten to know, pastor's son, is into body building. He's very proud of himself and has every right to be for keeping himself heathy and taking care of Gods temple.
The interest didnt stop there. He observes other guys and how muscular they are. I think it it mostly due to noticing his body going through changes and seeing those changes in others too. However, his parents have become concerned that looking at "muscle guys" is a questionable activity and they may be concerned he's developing a same-sex attraction. I don't get this impression, but I'm not a parent either and they know him better than I do.
I also have worked with a number of youth his age and I know it's nothing unusual, whereas this is thier first teenager. Guys often show off, and I can't tell you how many youth group pictures I've seen in many churches of teens flexing at the beach or swim party. I'm not sure if I'm underreacting or the parents are overreacting. My thought is the latter because I'm a guy and I know I had an interest in staying fit growing up. I often compared myself to my peers, but it was certainly not "attraction".
I think what triggered the parents concern was that they boy was looking online even to correspond with people who had a similar interest as him. So, muscle pictures, online chats, and a bit of concern (a good thing), have caused these parents to think thier son needs counseling. I personally think they need to talk with him more about these changes so he's not so compelled to look online for an out, but I have no clue how to approach them if it's even my place. I do know he is discouraged from playing in team sports for what reason I'm not sure, perahps, again, concern of him "looking" when he shouldn't. I don't know, and maybe I should leave it alone. It just seems a bit prudish to me, and I need God's guidance on how to handle this. He's a good kid and has a heart for those who are not accepted.
Blessings.
I've seen most posts in this forum relate to young kids, but as a youth worker, I need some advice on how to respond to parents. One of the youth I've recently gotten to know, pastor's son, is into body building. He's very proud of himself and has every right to be for keeping himself heathy and taking care of Gods temple.
The interest didnt stop there. He observes other guys and how muscular they are. I think it it mostly due to noticing his body going through changes and seeing those changes in others too. However, his parents have become concerned that looking at "muscle guys" is a questionable activity and they may be concerned he's developing a same-sex attraction. I don't get this impression, but I'm not a parent either and they know him better than I do.
I also have worked with a number of youth his age and I know it's nothing unusual, whereas this is thier first teenager. Guys often show off, and I can't tell you how many youth group pictures I've seen in many churches of teens flexing at the beach or swim party. I'm not sure if I'm underreacting or the parents are overreacting. My thought is the latter because I'm a guy and I know I had an interest in staying fit growing up. I often compared myself to my peers, but it was certainly not "attraction".
I think what triggered the parents concern was that they boy was looking online even to correspond with people who had a similar interest as him. So, muscle pictures, online chats, and a bit of concern (a good thing), have caused these parents to think thier son needs counseling. I personally think they need to talk with him more about these changes so he's not so compelled to look online for an out, but I have no clue how to approach them if it's even my place. I do know he is discouraged from playing in team sports for what reason I'm not sure, perahps, again, concern of him "looking" when he shouldn't. I don't know, and maybe I should leave it alone. It just seems a bit prudish to me, and I need God's guidance on how to handle this. He's a good kid and has a heart for those who are not accepted.
Blessings.