I think that adolescence is a particularly hard time in western culture because the line between childhood and adulthood is so blurred... In other cultures there is a clear dividing line and there are rituals and at that point their social role (and expectations around that) changes. Like... Going on a first hunt. Or... Having your first menstration.

In our society it is harder... Adolescents struggle with trying to differentiate themselves from their parents in order to figure out their own values and be their own person (aka teenage rebellion).

I think that it is important to teach consequences, but I'm more in favour of drawing their attention to natural consequences rather than contrived ones (punishers). But then that being said sometimes parents do need to interveane. I like the idea of explaining why their behaviour isn't acceptable. I've also heard of people who try and figure out appropriate consequences / punishments with their children / teenagers.

I was fairly rebellious... I kinda wish I could have talked to someone more. Learned from my mistakes yeah, but I kinda wish I had someone looking out for me too.