My frustrations usually starts to build when I hear…
“I’m so glad I’m not a teenager today!” or sometimes “I would never want to be a teenager in todays world!”
Seriously!!??
You wouldn’t have liked to grow up in a world where you can store your whole collection of music on a device smaller than your credit card? Don’t get me wrong, Sony Walkman’s and cassette tapes were great, but not that great.
As a teenager you wouldn’t have liked to have had the option to watch television on a device of your choice at a time that suited you? Once again I’m not knocking VHS but even if we set aside the poor quality images; if I missed recording a programme on my VCR that was it…no catch up television!
Powerful gaming devices in your living room, high speed internet, audio books, online shopping, video calling…I mean the list goes on and on and on…
And on…
I’m not just talking about technological advancements either as there is more knowledge and understanding about mental health, sexuality, identity, developments in medicine and the list goes on and on and on…
And on…
Adolescence generally speaking is a pretty awful and/or awkward time for most people and while I’ll admit that the modern teenager has an unprecedented access to knowledge, options and information than ever before. I don’t know if that means that my teenage experience pre-internet and social media was necessarily a better one?
It’s safe to say that most adults, take a bite and indulge in this guilty pleasure to a degree? As we advance through the corridor of time, we start to create a hazy, sublime, dreamlike romanticised version of past events. I often hear “My school days were the best days of my life!” And in that moment I wish I attended that school of rainbow filled academia because I don’t recall my school days being that great.
The sole purpose of an adolescent existence is to take those first steps into the realm of discovering a sense of identity and as if that isn’t bad enough somehow you have to navigate this weird thing called “society” and find your place in it whilst surging with hormones, growing pubic hair and body proportions changing at a rate you have no control over.
Which is why I am confused as to why some adults have such difficulty relating to teenagers because “we” (adults) were once “them” (teenagers) although I don’t want to speak too soon. I’ll find out for myself soon enough as my oldest son has just turned 13 and his vocal chords are already breaking so he can get ready to voice his rebellion in a lower register.
I’m in no way trying to discredit the genuine issues of online bullying, pornography access, the importance of a selfie or the social media pressures of having as many followers, friends, subscribers or likes as possible; however the awkward adjustments from child to young adult seems to be pretty universal, no matter what period of time you happen to be born into…right?
Until next time!
An Inviting Piece of the Pie 
Yea I’m not sure how adults can be so disconnected from this time period as if it never existed, LOL! I would also have loved to have the new advancements they have now when I was their age, LOL. Oh before I forget I nominated you for the Liebster award: https://myastheniagravisladycas.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/liebster-award-many-thanks/
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Yes I just think although there are some issues, it’s really a great time to be a teen!
Wow Lady CAS, thank you so much for the nomination!
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You are right! Teens have it easy! I wished for mini tech gadgets and they did not come until I was in college. Rocking my HUGE CD player in high school and walkman in elementary, I was big STUFF back then, LOL. My nephew looked at my parents 8 track player and was absolutely confused and laughed at me for my cassette tapes, as he pulled them apart (he’s 5). I had to rewind it and play if for him to understand and he still giggled. And you are most welcome for the nomination!
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