Which one of the following statements best reflects the central idea of the above passage?

Correct Option: (a) Parents in general may not be of much help when children are on their way to becoming adults.

The passage discusses the psychological tension that occurs during adolescence between parents and their children. The child wishes to manage their own affairs, while the parents attempt to impose dogmatic moral control, which is often a disguise for their love of power. Because of this dogmatic and controlling approach, the young seldom confide in their parents and go their own way in secret. This suggests that during the transition to adulthood, the rigid and power-assertive guidance of parents fails to be helpful. This is best reflected in option (a): 'Parents in general may not be of much help when children are on their way to becoming adults.' Option (b) is too extreme. Options (c) and (d) introduce external concepts (nuclear families, stubborn/careless youth) not supported by the text. Thus, option (a) is the correct choice.