Answer:
His mentors, family, and guardians, be it mother / father, uncle, granddad, cousins, need to understand that he is going through a tough time. Example: He's tall, already 6 feet, able to play a mean game of basketball, can fire a 30-30 hunting for deer, bench press tons, but is not allowed to interact with 16 year olds and older because he's only 14. A kind word goes a long way in this situation. So, the opportunity to teach obediance to rules needs to be taught here. We rallied behind him when things were hard. "I'm big enough, coach, why can't I play? I run faster than anybody else, why can't I play? I can bench press more than anyone else, why can't I be on the team?" It's a tough time but the advantage was that he always always always had someone to lean on, so to speak. Always had someone to speak to, to vent his frustrations, to be honest with. But at the same time, these were the times when he learned early in life the rules of the game, that some things cannot be changed, that rules have to be followed, that he has people that love him, that he can depend on someone. HE LEARNED that he can depend on someone. Daddy's gone, divorced, who to lean on now? Now he's a grown 17 year old, one of the handsomest men around, graduated high school already, plans for college already, loves his family, treats them well, loves his church, his pastor, shows the utmost respectibility. He exhibits no rebellion, shown by earrings, long hair, tatoos, drinking, drugs, never been ticketed (on the road). He's a joy to have around.
Advantages can be turned into hateful incidents if his circle of family and friends show frustration. This is an advantage to the guardian. Disadvantages can be turned into learning experiences. Another advantage to the guardian, be it Mom, uncle, granddaddy, grandma. Whoever (whomever? never did learn that rule - LOL) is taking the reins at the moment. AND THERE WERE QUITE A FEW!