While yes, I do text my friends, and use vulgar vocabulary (quite universal traits pegged on teenagers), the behavior I witness from teenagers around me is quite appalling and lacking of much class. For me, growing into adulthood is all about maturity, education, interest in being alive, and correct respect for your wise teachers and those who made milestones before you. Know your status, and know how to create a healthy future for your children. In my eyes: common sense. In their eyes: bullshit! Here are several, typical teenage traits that often disappoint me:
1. Oblivious of the future. Many teenagers seem stuck-in-the-now, throwing their lives around like they are nothing. "I don't care if I ace this test", "It's not that dangerous, I'm just bein' the shit", "PARTY, PARTY, PARTY!" Ignorant, and annoying. I had a conversation with a peer who did not understand why educational planning and jotting down their dreams for the future had any relation to how they would end up in their adult years. Everything you can reflect upon now shows your maturity in a big way, especially when you are writing College applications. I don't think you want your future College acceptance administrators to see: "Future-planning is so stupid!" if they look up your Facebook page to determine if you are the right student for them.
2. Drug love. The top issue among teenagers today. I would say from the peers I meet, 7 of every 10 have either tried a drug, or are under the influence of a drug at the moment of our conversation. Whether they are heavily using marijuana, getting wasted on vodka, or just smoking a cigarette every day, none of them seem to realize how idiotic their choices are, or how unhealthy these habits are for their bodies. More disappointing? A good portion of them are not aware they are being influenced by peer pressure. They're just "fitting in" because that is "the thing to do"! I have even heard the rumor: "Part of being a teenager is experimenting with drugs and having fun partying." Well, I may be abnormal, but let's not get carried away! Part of being a uneducated, typical teenager is experimenting--part of being a successful, blossoming teenager is paying respect to your body and loving yourself. While I do not idolize my friends who choose the path of drugs, I respect their freedom to use what ever substances they choose to. They will learn... someday!
3. Lacking articulation and conversational maturity. My biggest tick with most teenagers is that they do not have depth! All of their grammar is the same "lamee" grammar most everyone their age exhibits, and their conversational maturity is shameful. I have met some incredible individuals who can hold conversation about something besides getting high or laid, but not many. Most of these individuals are passed the teen-age benchmark--19, 20, even 23 or 24. Just because a teenager like myself knows how to communicate with elders and respects my status in this vast universe does not mean I have "lost my childhood" or "grew up too fast". I think I am growing up just right--above the influence and embracing my youth, being a stereotype buster for the rest of the teenage generation.
So, are these teenage traits something future generations want to live among in years to come? I certainly do not want to see my child ruin their life with a lack of class, low depth, and drug use, but I also am not going to go Nazi-mom and push them into insanity... but that's for another blog post another day. Any teenage attitudes that make you tick? Email me and tell me your thoughts.
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