I love watching those reality talent shows like The Voice and America’s Got Talent. But I’m always saddened when I see contestants begging to get through to the next round … as if their very lives depended on it.

Hi, I’m Mark Gregston … with Parenting Today’s Teens.

A teen’s sense of self-worth and value could be wrapped up in any number of things. But by far the most significant factor is how well they can perform. So what does this look like in today’s culture?

It’s the girl who will stop at nothing to earn good grades, and feels the need to cheat in school. Or the boy who turns to steroids to fulfill his obsessive drive to be the best in sports.

Is your teen acting like their very lives depend on how well they perform? Make sure they know that no matter how they do, you’ll always love them just the same.