In Laval, Families Explore How to Protect Teens Without Losing Their Trust

A psychological and educational forum held in Laval, Quebec, examined the challenges Arab and North African families face when raising teenagers in Canada, with a particular focus on identity, belonging and integration.

The event, titled "How Can We Protect Our Children in Canada Without Losing Them?", was organized by Psy Academy, the Mental Health Academy, under the supervision and coordination of Dr. Hind Anoual and Abdelkabir Belbessir.

The session was presented by writer and international lecturer Zakaria Chaibouch, a doctoral researcher in psychology and contemporary Islamic thought. He addressed adolescence from psychological, educational and social perspectives, with particular attention to the experience of Arab and Maghrebi families living in Canada.

A central message of the discussion was that adolescence should not simply be viewed as a period of rebellion or difficult behaviour. It is also an important stage in the development of identity, independence and a young person's understanding of their place within the family and society.

Participants discussed the need for parents to move beyond constant monitoring and control and instead strengthen communication, trust and emotional support. The discussion emphasized that protecting teenagers does not mean closing them off from the outside world, but creating a family environment where they feel safe enough to speak openly.

One of the main issues raised was the balance between family values and life within Canadian society. Children of immigrant families may grow up in a cultural environment that differs from the one their parents knew, sometimes creating tension around identity, values and belonging.

The forum explored how parents can preserve important family values without making their children feel rejected or isolated, while also allowing them to participate fully in Canadian society. Participants stressed that a healthy identity does not require young people to choose between two cultures.

The need to belong was another major theme. Teenagers often seek spaces where they feel accepted, understood and valued. When communication at home becomes weak or young people feel unheard, they may be more likely to seek that sense of belonging elsewhere.

The discussion encouraged parents to look beyond troubling behaviour and ask a deeper question: what is a teenager searching for outside the family that they may not be finding at home?

Particular attention was given to the years between approximately 14 and 18, when peer influence becomes stronger and teenagers increasingly seek independence. During this period, relying only on orders and punishment can widen the distance between parents and their children.

The forum also identified several parenting practices that can intensify conflict, including excessive monitoring, constant comparison with others, focusing on mistakes instead of emotions, using threats or violence, avoiding sensitive conversations and confusing protection with control.

Participants were reminded that such behaviour can sometimes come from genuine fear and concern for a child's wellbeing. However, good intentions alone may not be enough if teenagers do not experience that concern as trust, understanding and support.

One of the key conclusions was that prevention begins before a crisis develops. Being present, listening and building trust early can make it more likely that teenagers will turn to their families when they face difficult situations.

The event concluded with an open discussion in which families shared experiences and concerns about adolescence, migration and identity.

Its closing message was clear: families do not have to choose between protecting their children and giving them freedom. The challenge is to teach young people how to use that freedom responsibly while maintaining a relationship strong enough that they will return to their families when they need help.