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A teenager myself, I somewhat understand what it is like to live in a world where teens are expected to act like adults, yet treated like kids. Many people know at least a couple teens that are moody and broody, tending to be anti-social and halt all attempts at conversation. Many also know teenagers that are overachievers and don't need to be reminded to do homework and fold their laundry. Then there are the teenagers that lounge around in as little clothing as possible and often opt out of brushing their teeth and tending to basic hygiene. Society tends to group teenagers like so, and those of us that don't fit one or find ourselves belonging in all three at once, begin to lose our minds at the impossibility of belonging to something.
That's another issue about society and teenagers we face today. It is uncanny how a sense of belonging is so damn important. From finding a clique of friends to sitting in the same spot at meals everyday, teenagers must have their own place, and, oh, how we get territorial...
I will use myself as an example here, so gather 'round, children.
I found my little group of friends on my first day of high school. I was the only person attending from any of my previous schools and I was panicking at the thought of eating lunch alone on the first day, in a bathroom stall, much like the beginning of the movie, Mean Girls. When lunch rolled around that day, I was determined to not let my fear get the best of me. I saw several other girls looking around for a good table to sit, so I decided to ask if I could sit with them. I did and they accepted and I found us a table. Once we sat, several more of their friends joined us and we all introduced ourselves. The next day, we sat at the same table in the same places, and the day after was similar. We remained close friends for the rest of the season, and then the semester, and then the year, and the next year, and the next. We became a group of best friends, and the funny part is, with each new area we marked as our own for our meals, we all sat in the same place everyday. On several occasions, a mix-up would occur and the monotony would be broken. Chaos ensued. Lesson learned.
So why is it that teenagers feel the need to have their own things and places and stuff? A sense of ownership is important to everyone, at least on some level. The movies generally portray teenagers to be reclusive around their families, but sneak out at night to go to parties, and have "DO NOT ENTER" on their doors. It's their room, so stay out. We all want our own place in this world, and I think it starts with claiming things, like toys or places.
I often find myself wondering which category I fit into, or if I fit into any, or if I fit into all. I can be broody when I want to, and I can get all my homework done and do chores without being asked, and sure, I can feel like lounging around in sweatpants.
I do know one thing about myself: I love my music. My earbuds go with me everywhere, and depending on the music I listen to, they determine my mood too. That is why I fit into at least one of those categories, the one about being quiet and listening to music. I may not have drastic mood swings, but they are noticeable changes in energy.
Earbuds and Mood swings.
It's a start.