What Inspires Teenagers?

Teachers

• According to a nationwide survey of 13- to 17-year-olds by the Gallup organization, 76 percent of high schoolers report that they will work harder for some teachers over others. The majority of these students noted that they were more likely to work harder for teachers who had higher expectations and were better at motivating them. Teachers who motivate teens can inspire them to succeed scholastically, set higher academic goals and work harder -- for example, studying more or doing extra class work -- and help them to get more out of the educational process.

Family Members

• Teachers aren't the only adults who inspire teenagers. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other adult family members can also motivate kids to succeed and provide inspiration to achieve goals, make changes or help others. Teens may pick up on specific traits, qualities, behaviors or actions of adults that they see often, that can in turn inspire them to emulate or be like that family member. For example, if mom starts her own business, works hard and achieves success, this can inspire her teen to do the same later in life, or to work harder in school now to get to a point where she can also become an entrepreneur.

Peers

• While looking up to an inspirational adult -- such as a teacher or parent -- is common for many teens, peers can also help motivate their friends and classmates to succeed or make changes. According to a 2012 poll on "Young People and Volunteering," conducted by the staff at social change website dosomething.org and reported on their site, notes that teens' friends hold a key place in influencing them to try out volunteer work. Sightly over 75 percent of teens who volunteer, poll results show, have a friend who also volunteers. A friend or classmate who stands up for social change, commits himself to making a difference or acts as a role model through his behaviors and decisions to help others can inspire a teen to do the same.

Information and the Media

• While the media might get a bad rap for influencing kids to make poor decisions through mixed messages -- such as overly sexualized portrayals of high school romances or glorified images of young people drinking alcohol -- they can also provide an equally inspirational message. Although it's unlikely that your teen will get to see an in-person inspirational speech the president or another world leader gives, the media's coverage of these events can bring this type of motivation home to your teen. Additionally, some TV shows or movies depict inspirational characters who demonstrate to your teen the value of helping others or reaching out to do more.