A Tale of Teenage Terror: Why Teens Are Turning to Trouble-Making

Sometimes I have sudden relevations that I simply MUST act upon. There can be a time period where I won't have any for 4 days... and then, suddenly, all within 14 hours, I'll have three. Hence the three blog posts within today. However, I feel that if someone has something truly useful to say... then they need to say it, no matter what.

Have you ever thought about today's average teenager? There's a stereotype floating around--it's the "typical" teen--hypocritical, drinking and partying and sleeping around, gossiping and breaking bonds with friends, lying and stealing and crying and fighting...

I want to know when all teenagers became partiers, liars, cheaters, and thieves. Because--I, for one, am not. And I pride myself for not doing many of the things a "typical teenager" does.

Here is the problem. When did the stereotype emerge, and what caused it? Are teenagers really the monsters they're often made out to be, or are they just misunderstood beings who don't know how to be understood? And when will it change--when will we find a way to make ourselves more understood?

I'm the kind of girl who tends to become friends with the needy kids, the ones who don't have support at home... the ones who rely heavily on whoever will allow them to lean on them. And I'm a non-licensed, non-legalized counselor to many kids at the high school... If I charged for all the listening I do, I would have millions at this point. Because in order to understand teens, you have to listen.

So I'm wondering how to solve this problem... how can the troubled teens of today let their voice be heard, make their opinions known--connect with adults? I don't have a problem with it--proper English, maturity, and politeness is all it really takes. So why is it so difficult? And why do teens lash out by doing things that end up being harmful only to themselves?

It's a thought to be considered--the chivalry that is so desirable in young men--it doesn't really exist anymore. And the sweet demureness of women that used to be so prominent has gone down the drain... girls try to assert themselves as leaders, and with that, the softness that used to be associated with females disappears. And many adults have expressed displeasure in the "attitude" of teens today. "Why don't they speak properly? Mumbling, popping gum, speaking in such harsh tones... when did it change from "Children should be seen and not heard"?" My response to that is simple: we aren't children anymore. We are young men and young women with real minds, with brains that we are proud of and thoughts that need to be expressed... we just don't know how to express them.

And so: to solve the problem. Classes on proper diction, manners courses, and... a dash of acceptance from the older generations--and maybe we can work out all the kinks in our relationships that have caused such a train wreck.

Or maybe we should just jump in a time machine and observe life--keeping in mind the fact that the world is different today, and women [hallelujah for this] have many more rights... yet, the 1950s had much to be desired.

Oh, woe is me... for I am just another teen, classified as something I'm not with no way to change the stereotype.

At least I can write!