Methods of Communication between Muslim Parents and Teenagers in Malaysia

Abstract

The communication process within a family typically has parents as transmitters and parents as receivers. The pattern of communication between parents and children determines the family climate, whether positive or otherwise. The growth and changes faced by teenagers in this phase cause them to become more sensitive to their surroundings. Children generally prefer to be treated like adults and desire increased autonomy in making decisions. Appropriate communication methods must be applied by parents, especially when children have entered the teenage phase. However, some parents face communication challenges in dealing with teenagers, such as difficulty in understanding teenagers’ attitudes, time constraints, and outside influences. Thus, this study aims to identify the communication methods carried out by Muslim parents with teenagers in Malaysia. This study uses a qualitative method with a phenomenological design and includes 20 respondents from the North, East, West and South zones of Peninsular Malaysia. The method of data collection is a semi-structured interview method. Each interview has been transcribed and analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti software 23. The findings of the study show that there are five methods of communication between Muslim parents and teenagers, (1) making religion the foundation for building a strong family bond, with Islamic principles guiding interactions; (2) spending quality time together as a means to foster closeness and mutual understanding; (3) providing consistent advice and guidance to teenagers, particularly in relation to moral and ethical concerns; (4) parents acting as positive role models, embodying values and behaviors they wish to impart to their children; and (5) the use of digital media as a modern communication tool, enabling both parents and teenagers to stay connected and engaged.