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The problem with teens - NOT
By Joe Renna
The cross over into adulthood is the most complex period in a person's life. Though I am mainly referring to teenage years, some youth seem all grown up at twelve years old yet others still act childish into their twenties. There is no cookie cutter solution to the problems of young adults. It's wrong to even refer to the process as a problem.
What strikes me as bizarre is the way some adults treat teens;
as if they, themselves, were never that age. Teens age trying
out a whole new set of tools. They are physically, emotionally
and mentally changing. Their bodies are racing for all three aspects
of their personality to catch up with each other. The balance,
or should I say imbalance, of the three sits the teen on the roller
coaster ride of their life. There aren't many options open to
the teen at this point; only to hold on tight.
Since the ride is inevitable what could we do as adults to smooth
it out? The answer is plenty. The controls are in the hands of
the parents. If they are not capable then a relative can take
interest, or a neighbor, or a friend, or clergy, or anyone for
crying out loud! My point is we are all responsible.
Teens don't need much. They need to be given more credit for their
abilities than they usually are. Teens are resourceful. Given
direction and freedom they will achieve if not surpass their mentor.
A good teacher will start his student out with the knowledge that
he has acquired to date. The student should be that much further
ahead in development.
They also need opportunity. Adults hold all the cards. It's in
their power to open doors and guide the younger generation. Not
by dictation but through example. Like parenting, there are techniques
to administering to youth. For some reason the trend lately is
horrific.
The message being troweled out is popularity. And it's not even
directed at the teens. It starts much younger, at five and six
years old! A closed society was created that measures performance,
rewards conformity and cultivates competition. I'm talking about
organized youth sports. Nothing could be more divisive to a group
of children or damaging to an immature ego. But this essay is
not about that. It is about life after that.
Children are living their glory days out through grammar school.
By the time high school comes, they are either burned out or injured.
God forbid that the kid just wasn't a good athlete. What happens
then is my concern. Did the parents spend all their child's options
on sports? If there was an interest in Arts or Science was it
neglected? Instead of hitting a mature level in his or her life
passion the teen is having difficulty in even finding a path to
start their journey.
It is vehemently denied but the level of attention given to developing
teens dwarfs in comparison to the early years. Teens are at the
crossroads of their lives. They are standing there with big feet,
a bad haircut and acne. Don't abandon them.
Not for Nothing But...
I'd take potential over experience every time.