YCteen publishes true stories by teens, giving readers insight into the issues that matter most in young people's lives.
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Families (81 found)
Note: These stories are from YCteen and its sister publication, Represent, which is written by and for youth in foster care.
Vanessa has always known she’s gay, but worries about how her family will react. With support from her girlfriend, she comes out. (full text)
The author writes a letter to her mother, who has a history of abusive relationships, imploring her to consider her kids before she gets too involved with the next guy. (full text)
Julijana doesn’t see too many examples of happy marriages in her family and has doubts about a couple’s chances of achieving lasting happiness. (full text)
YCteen staff interview a therapist about coping with a mentally ill family member. (full text)
After the Sandy Hook school shooting, the author worries whether her own brother might be capable of a similarly violent rampage, and advocates for better treatment for mental illness. (full text)
When Marco’s grandmother arrives from Ecuador to help out the family, he’s skeptical. But over time, they form a close bond. (full text)
As a child, Christine was close to her cousin Daniel, who has a developmental disability. She later mentors young adults with disabilities. (full text)
Growing up, Nicole was extremely close to her grandmother in Mexico. When her grandmother dies while Nicole is studying in New York, she is devastated. (full text)
Chimore, overwhelmed with grief after the loss of her Aunt Cynthia and Uncle Larry, struggles to find meaning and hold on to her faith. (full text)
Tuli’s family loses their home after a hurricane strikes the Gulf of Mexico. In the midst of loss, she sees reason for hope. (full text)
Isaura is frustrated that her mom doesn’t take better care of herself to prevent her diabetes from getting worse. (full text)
Sherilyn watches her older sister Carmen go from a success-in-the-making to a runaway with a bad news boyfriend. When Carmen asks to come home, Sherilyn agrees with their mom's tough love response. (full text)
Rosie's house—where her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins have all lived—is a symbol of her family's unity and closeness. When the matriarch of the family dies, the house feels like a memorial to her. (full text)
Nicole's beloved grandmother dies shortly before her quinceañera, and the celebration is tinged with sadness. Still, the family finds ways to comfort one another and remember the good times. (full text)
When Shahlo’s family wins the green card lottery, they look forward to starting a new life in New York. But the challenges associated with being new immigrants make them question their decision to leave Uzbekistan. (full text)
Peace barely remembers her early years in Nigeria and considers herself fully Americanized. But when her parents plan a trip home, Peace and her siblings develop a new appreciation for their Nigerian roots. (full text)
When Christian meets his younger half-brother, the pain of being abandoned by his father becomes more intense. (full text)
After Jennifer’s mom gets involved with an abusive man, it takes years to repair the damage. (full text)
When Naomi sees her father paying more attention to her younger sister, she thinks he doesn't like her any more. But after she confronts him about her feelings, they draw closer and she sees how much they have in common. (full text)
After her father abandons the family, the writer feels weighed down by family responsibilities. Physical symptoms of depression and thoughts of suicide eventually drive her to make some changes. (full text)
The author resolves to deal with the anger she’s developed from her abusive childhood, so she won’t abuse others. (full text)
As a child, Johane spent three hellish years living apart from her mother and looking forward to their reunion. But when she finally got her wish, she found their relationship was not the same.
YCteen writers inspect self-help books aimed at their parents, and find the advice on how to "deal" with teen children is a mixed bag.
Chantel is grateful to her mother for incrementally increasing her freedom, especially since she recognizes it isn't always easy to let go.
Brittany introduces the results of a YCteen poll that asked teens to give details of their relationships with their parents, including what annoys them, what they appreciate, and how much freedom they have.
Tichina explains how her dad's absence made her insecure in childhood, and wonders why so many fathers can't be there for their children.
Nicole is not as angry at her absent father as she used to be, but realizes she has a lot of unanswered questions about him.
The author constantly fights with his mom about his pot smoking, goofing off in school, and lack of motivation. It's not until a near tragedy that he starts to view his mother differently.
Psychologist and author Mike Bradley explains how parents and teens can better understand and communicate with each other.
After her beloved Aunt Euphita is seriously injured in a car accident, Annmarie helps support her through a painful recovery. Along the way, she develops a new appreciation for family.
Rumonat is annoyed that her younger brother gets better grades than her. When he starts slipping up, she has to decide whether to help him or to gloat.
When Renea discovers that her boyfriend's father cheats on his wife, she gets scared that her boyfriend will be unfaithful, too. She wonders whether children are destined to repeat the same relationship mistakes of their parents.
Jordan feels lucky to have three families—his mother's side, his father's side, and his stepmother's side. His step-family is as important to him as his immediate family because he knows they care about him just the same.
At age 14, the writer leaves her loving godparents in Malaysia to join her parents and brother in the U.S.
Sayda is inspired by her aunt, an immigrant who earned a college degree through enormous hard work and sacrifice.
Jason feels he can't express his true feelings to his family, and finds a support group of peers where he can share his opinions without being judged.
Although several people are interested in adopting Natalie and her sister, she wants to remain independent.
For a long time Jennifer is the shy girl with no friends. Then, during the summer after 7th grade, she rebels by smoking, drinking, and trying to get away with as much as she can.
Destiny struggles to cope with the death of her best friend—her brother Kareem.
Marlene feels she missed out on a lot of opportunities all through high school because she had to take care of her siblings. She wants to be a teenager, because for too long she's played the role of an adult.
Stephen considers it a privilege to share a very close relationship with his father.
Diana's grandfather (abuelo) loved to cook for her, but since he died she's become the "American baby" who goes out for pizza. She misses his dishes and the old "family feeling" that came with them.
Although she’s 18, the author is not allowed to date, go out at night, or wear what she wants. Is there anything she can do about her family’s old-fashioned ways?
A therapist and a social worker give teens advice on how to talk to their parents.
Growing up, Jessica is very close to her older brother Adolfo. But when she hits her teen years and becomes depressed, she tries to hide it from him.
The writer thinks she has the perfect family until she hits her teens and starts rebelling. She fights with both parents and her father leaves the family. Devastated, the writer is ready to run away from home before family therapy helps her communicate with her mother and sister.
The writer’s father flagrantly cheats on and beats her mother. But when her mother won’t leave, the writer faces an agonizing choice.
Loretta's father spends most of his time working in his restaurant, King Wah, where the decor instantly transports the customers back to China. Although she and her siblings gradually become Americanized, it is her father's elaborate Chinese meals that bind him to his native culture.
Daniel recalls visiting his grandmother in Puerto Rico, and how much they have learned from each other over.
The writer’s strict parents crack down when they discover she’s been disobeying them to date boys.
Tonya recalls how much her uncle added to her life, even though he couldn’t walk or talk due to cerebral palsy.
Because her stepmother is overwhelmed, the writer has to take on the responsibility of caring for her siblings.
Although the author's family has let her down, she says blood ties will always be the strongest. (full text)
Victoria Malkin, an anthropologist and psychotherapist, discusses how kids without families can bond with others. (full text)
As Otis drifts away from his adoptive mother, he ponders what family means -- sharing holidays? blood? loyalty? respect? harmony? (full text)
Jennifer, born in Paraguay, adopted, re-named, and raised by an abusive white woman, goes into care and wonders who she considers family. (full text)
Zakkiaya's biological family neglects and abuses her. It's not until she enters a group home that she find "sisters" and a caseworker "Mom." (full text)
Chris and his two older brothers lose both parents when they're young. One of Chris's brothers continually tells him what to do. (full text)
The writer endures sexual abuse by her uncle until she blurts the truth out to a teacher. Her mother does not rise to the occasion. (full text)
Ever since he can remember, Steven's family has dealt with their problems through conflict. As he grows up, Steven looks for healthier, more peaceful ways of resolving family problems. (full text)
The writer leaves foster care to live with her sister. But she enters a world of abuse and violence, and finally reports her sister to child welfare.
Domestic violence expert Heather McLain explains what to do if your parent is being abused.
Natalie is thrown into turmoil when she finds out the man she always thought was her father may not be.
Though she loves her parents, the author decided that it’s best for her to not live with them.
Linda discusses the obstacles that often prevent children from visiting their incarcerated parents.
Linda interviews several boys in a support group for youth with incarcerated parents.
Youniqiue and her sisters have been abandoned by their drug-addicted mother. While the rest of the family denies the truth, Youniqiue speaks out honestly about her neglect and vows to break the long family history of poor parenting when she becomes a mother.
An expert explains how incarcerated parents and their kids can stay connected and why that’s so important.
Victoria Malkin, an anthropologist and psychotherapist, discusses how kids without families can bond with others.
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