Teenagers: what problems? What is good and what is bad about being a teenager?

What is a teenager? Officially, of course, a teenager is anyone aged from 13 to 19 inclusive, but most people would probably think first of the younger age group and exclude 18 and 19-year-olds. After all, once you reach 18 you can vote, get married and join the army. On the other hand, children are growing up and developing more quckly and these days 11 and12 -year-olds would like to include themselves in the ‘teenager’ group. Officially, of course, a teenager is anyone aged from 13 to 19 inclusive, but most people would probably think first of the younger age group and exclude 18 and 19-year-olds. After all, once you reach 18 you can vote, get married and join the army. On the other hand, children are growing up and developing more quckly and these days 11 and12 -year-olds would like to include themselves in the ‘teenager’ group. Without getting hung on actual ages, what we really mean by ‘teenagers’ are people who are in the stage of their life when they are developing from children into adults. Without getting hung on actual ages, what we really mean by ‘teenagers’ are people who are in the stage of their life when they are developing from children into adults.

Are teenagers a problem? According to ‘the older generation’ teenagers are lazy, they wear ridiculous clothes and are appallingly rude to their betters and elders; they find it impossible to be polite, helpful, constructive, caring or hard-working. What’s more, they spend their time listening to awful music and gawping at unsuitable films. And all they ever think about is parties, drugs and sex. According to ‘the older generation’ teenagers are lazy, they wear ridiculous clothes and are appallingly rude to their betters and elders; they find it impossible to be polite, helpful, constructive, caring or hard-working. What’s more, they spend their time listening to awful music and gawping at unsuitable films. And all they ever think about is parties, drugs and sex.

What young people say about themselves Bob, 15: Not everyone who is a teenager drinks and gets involved in fights. This is a horrible stereotype. My friends and I are all hardworking. I have a part time job, attend college, look after my younger brother and volunteer to work with sick animals. Bob, 15: Not everyone who is a teenager drinks and gets involved in fights. This is a horrible stereotype. My friends and I are all hardworking. I have a part time job, attend college, look after my younger brother and volunteer to work with sick animals.

Angus, 15: Angus, 15: I don’t think it’s fair that all teenagers are being labelled as a problem, most aren’t. It’s only very few who think it’s clever to go out and start fights. And I think that adults are much more of a problem when it comes to violent behaviour. I don’t think it’s fair that all teenagers are being labelled as a problem, most aren’t. It’s only very few who think it’s clever to go out and start fights. And I think that adults are much more of a problem when it comes to violent behaviour.

Sara,17: Sara,17: It’s a load of rubbish that people wearing hoodies are more likely to do anti-social things.It’s like saying you’re a criminal because of the clothes you put on in the morning. I just like my clothes to match, which is why I’m wearing this black hoodie today, to go with my black jeans, black cap and black shoes. It’s a load of rubbish that people wearing hoodies are more likely to do anti-social things.It’s like saying you’re a criminal because of the clothes you put on in the morning. I just like my clothes to match, which is why I’m wearing this black hoodie today, to go with my black jeans, black cap and black shoes.

Do teenagers have problems You might as well ask ‘Do hens lay eggs?’ Teens are human, so, of course, they have problems You might as well ask ‘Do hens lay eggs?’ Teens are human, so, of course, they have problems What is going to happen at work/school tomorrow? What is going to happen at work/school tomorrow? Why does Dad like my sister better than me? Why does Dad like my sister better than me? Am I too fat/skinny/tall/short etc.? Am I too fat/skinny/tall/short etc.? Does my boyfriend/girlfriend really like me? Does my boyfriend/girlfriend really like me? Am I stupid? Am I stupid? How can I afford to buy…..? How can I afford to buy…..?

There isn’t anyone alive in the world who hasn’t posed these questions. We usually do it when we turn out the light and lie down in bed at night and the answers aren’t very satisfactory.! There isn’t anyone alive in the world who hasn’t posed these questions. We usually do it when we turn out the light and lie down in bed at night and the answers aren’t very satisfactory.! It’s true, of course, that sometimes teenagers have special problems. It is a difficult time because it is a period of transformation. It isn’t quite as bad as a chrysalis changing into a butterfly but it may seem like it – or even the other way round! It isn’t easy to grow up and the physical and emotional changes are often confusing and worrying. It’s true, of course, that sometimes teenagers have special problems. It is a difficult time because it is a period of transformation. It isn’t quite as bad as a chrysalis changing into a butterfly but it may seem like it – or even the other way round! It isn’t easy to grow up and the physical and emotional changes are often confusing and worrying.