Do you sometimes feel your lazy child is in need of a drill sergeant to get him out of bed and to school on time? Well, consider yourself a lucky parent. Teen boot camps are fast becoming a popular wake up call for many a troubled youth who needs a little discipline in their life. If teen substance abuse is destroying your child's life, consider this as a "tough-love" approach to getting him or her back on the right track.

Give Your Child a Warning With Teen Boot Camps
A teen boot camp doesn't mean you are turning your back on your child forever or throwing them to the wolves. The main thing is don't make a rash decision. If you considered what is best for your child and then came up with the idea of such a program, then it is probably the right treatment for the job.

For so many youths today, their lives are fraught with too much choice, too many chances to err and deviate from their path. Let your child make some mistakes now and then. That will allow them to grow into independent-minded young adults. But don't let them spiral down into self-destruction. That would just be tragic.

So consider upping the ante in the parenting wars and throwing a drill sergeant into the mix. Where you failed, despite your most earnest efforts, teen boot camps might succeed. As long as you choose a program that has the child's welfare at the forefront, you will not likely regret your long-considered decision.

In the strict sense of the term, military school usually refers to academic boarding schools that incorporate the same style of discipline and structure that a soldier would receive in training for one of the armed forces. Sometimes a military school is chosen in order to provide the student a stepping stone towards officers' school. Many parents aspire for their teens to attend the most prestigious military school in America, West Point.

Definition of a Military School

The terms military school and military academy have been interchangeable through time and this definition applies to both.

1. a private school organized somewhat along the lines of and following some of the procedures of military life.

2. a school that trains men and women for military careers as army officers, usually as part of a college education.

Why Military School?

Why would a parent choose a military school? A military school is particularly noted for the strict discipline that they impose on their student body. The discipline is not in the least bit meant as punitive but consists of a body of rules, procedures and principles designed to inculcate a strong will, clear thinking, leadership skills and sound character in a given student. A military school adopts a structure of training, discipline, and reward similar to what is found in the actual military. Every minute of the student's day is accounted for in a military school and infractions of the rules are immediately dealt with, no negotiations permitted.

The activities and possessions that kids outside of a military school take for granted are considered privileges in a military school and have to be earned. That includes video games, music and movies. There is no flex time or excuse for missed homework or neglected study time.

In a military school, peer pressure is deliberatively used to enforce proper behavior and to expose those students who break the rules. A military school not only strengthens it's students, or cadets, as individuals, but then teaches them how to function cooperatively in team settings. All invaluable skills, whether applied to a military career or a life in business.

A young military school graduate explains why she is glad that, unlike her friends back home, that she is in military school.

"All they care about is sex, cars and money... If I hadn't come here, I don't think I would have come this far through school or through anything."

Why should a parent of an at-risk or out-of-control teenage girl investigate all girl boarding schools? What are the benefits to choosing all girl boarding schools instead of boarding schools that are co-educational? Won't that thwart the teen girl's social skills with the opposite sex? Won't that leave them unprepared to interact intelligently with the opposite sex once they graduate?

Emotional Problems Specific to Girls

A troubled teen usually enters into a substance abuse program or a behavioral therapy program with more than one set of problems. It's not just drugs or anger issues or criminal acts that will land a young girl in an all girl boarding school but the emotional confusion and pain that the destructive behavior derives from.

Often it is true that behavioral problems and drug abuse either stems from or brings about dysfunctional sexual behavior. It is frequent that young girls have suffered a rape or gone through a sexual hazing in a gang that would make all girl boarding schools the logical choice.

All girl boarding schools often provide chaperoned events and sporting events that are co-ed where troubled teens can interact socially or competitively in a safe environment. One of the greatest benefits that all girl boarding schools provide however is to provide an arena where a young girl can grow in self-esteem and confidence without the pressures that a co-ed campus can produce.

All Girl Boarding Schools Address Female Issues

All girl boarding schools eliminate one size fits all curriculum but, instead, offer a broad spectrum of courses that are designed to reflect the problems unique to teenage girls; body image issues, sexual self-esteem, eating disorders. All girl boarding schools can also counsel young teenage girls who have gone through pregnancies that end in abortions or adoption.

It has been noted that young girls can feel less intimidated pursuing their interest in math and science in all girl boarding schools where they are not in direct competition with boys.

All girl boarding schools allow a young girl to grow to appreciate their value based on accomplishments, not the superficial measurements of fashion or sex appeal. Typically, all girl boarding schools require their students to wear uniforms, allowing for the personality of the young woman to shine through without being propped up by makeup, clothes, tattoos, and piercings, fostering a unique sense of individuality based on natural merit.

All girl boarding schools can help young women sculpt a new and authentic identity that will stand them well for the rest of their lives.