In my field of work I have seen so many of our teens lose respect for themselves and others. The young generation today doesn't accept any correction you have to offer them on life. Their response to it is "you don't know me",or "that was when you were growing up".
They seem to think that it's all about how they look or dress. While that plays some part in a person characteristic it doesn't define who a person is inside. It's all about the morals, and values you dress yourself with that makes you the man or woman who gains control over their own mind and thoughts.
Young male teens think its about how many girls they have in their phonebook for every night of the week, the car they drive that makes them popular. If you don't have any true values or strong morals to offer that will be the same kind of people you attract yourself to in life. The ones that think about what they have and what they can get not what they offer back.
While on the other hand the females think its all about the hair, clothes or the captain of the football or basketball team that matters. Those things are okay too, but you seem to forget your own self respect in it all. Girls are losing their true self caught up in the hype of the popular ream. Not demanding their respect from the guys.
Young teens stay true to yourselves don't let the fashion biz or pop culture rob you of your values. Recognize damaging thoughts and stop them from influencing your life. Be patient with yourself even when you make a mistake. Understand its okay to make mistakes, but its how you handle them. Some are not so easily corrected like early parenthood, std, or even teen death are some of the most difficult ones that our teens are facing today.
If the question you are asking yourself is How do I start being true to myself? The answer is if you have to think about it and there are more what if that could go wrong that is where you start. By doing this on a daily basis you will find yourself being true to yourself without even trying to. Just as you are demanding with the kind of shoes and clothes you wear be that demanding with your respect, values, and molars.
This generations will be the generation to make changes for the better, but you can't do this if you have no solid foundation to build on. Its all about showing concern and respect for yourself that will bring out the concern and respect for other people.