Adolescence is a decisive stage in a boy’s life, when ideas about masculinity, behaviour and relationships begin to develop. Between 14 and 17, emotions feel intense, while approval from friends can matter more than guidance from adults. It is also when early lessons about respect, boundaries and communication silently settle into habits that can last into adulthood.

According to a report by UNICEF, high levels of stress among adolescents often stem from academic pressures, family expectations and societal standards, including gender roles and norms. In such a setting, conversations around relationships are not secondary. They are part of how young people learn to understand themselves and others.

You can focus on helping them express emotions without harm, communicate with clarity, understand consent and boundaries, and recognise the impact of their actions. The aim is to nurture boys who can respond to situations with thought rather than impulse, and who do not look away when they see disrespect or bullying.

The first crush and what it really feels like

What needs your attention: The good and bad of crushing

There are always telltale signs when a boy experiences his first crush. It brings excitement, nervousness, and a strong need to be accepted in return. At the centre of it is something very simple, the desire to be liked back.

While adults may treat these feelings as temporary, they carry more weight for adolescents than is acknowledged. What you are discounting as a short-lived fantasy is something very real to your child — a cornerstone of the social scaffolding of an........

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