* Psychology: This is a crucial foundation. Specific areas within psychology like developmental psychology, clinical psychology, and abnormal psychology are particularly relevant. A psychology major will equip you with the theoretical frameworks and research methods to understand the psychological underpinnings of troubled teen behavior.
* Sociology: This helps understand the societal factors contributing to troubled teen behavior, such as poverty, family dynamics, peer influence, and community structures.
* Social Work: This major focuses on practical application and intervention. You'll learn about case management, counseling techniques, and working with families and communities to support troubled teens.
* Criminal Justice: If you're interested in the legal and justice system aspects of troubled teens (e.g., juvenile delinquency), this major is relevant.
* Child and Adolescent Development: This major focuses specifically on the developmental stages of children and adolescents, offering insight into typical and atypical development.
It's important to note that a major alone won't be sufficient. Many professionals working with troubled teens pursue graduate degrees in fields like:
* Clinical Psychology: For therapeutic intervention.
* Social Work (MSW): For direct practice and case management.
* Counseling Psychology: For therapeutic work.
* School Psychology: For working within educational settings.
Ultimately, the best approach is to choose a strong undergraduate major in one of the fields listed above, then pursue graduate studies specializing in adolescent psychology, counseling, or social work to gain the necessary skills and qualifications for working with troubled teens.