by Kyla

Created on: January 30, 2009

What is the first thing that comes to mind when the word 'teenager' crosses our lips? Generally something like irresponsibility, fun, laziness, video games. This is a classic stereotype. Stereotyping is done at all stages of life. Children are expected to be wild and disobedient. Teenagers are expected to be irresponsible and fun-loving. Adults, on the other hand, are expected to be the mature ones in the scope of life.

However, how can teens grow up to be those upstanding, mature citizens of planet earth if they are not being trained how to do so? In many ways, stereotyping exacerbates this problem. Teens live up to the expectations set out for them, inadvertently misplacing their maturity somewhere along the way. Hence, we have a culture wherein adults are expected to be mature, yet the stage of life that precedes is wasted in irresponsibility and immaturity.

So how do stereotypes hurt? People have an inbred desire to live up to what people expect of them. If an employer expects a certain employee to get something done, they will more than likely do it. If they do not, they will feel guilt and embarrassment when their employer gets onto them. This goes further when these expectations are lowered. If what people expect of us is pleasurable, will we not do it? Hence, teenagers live up to them.

But do we exacerbate our situation by actually stooping so low to accommodate? I believe so. Low expectations are driven even lower when teens go above (or should I say below?) and beyond the expectations our culture gives us to work with. We live up to those expectations...then stoop lower by doing even worse than our worst critic might expect of us. Why do we do so? I believe it is because what people expect of us is pleasurable. It is fun to play video games all day, it is fun to not have any responsibilities whatsoever.

How are these stereotypes unfair? Well, for one thing, not all teens are that way, or fit into certain categories. Despite common conceptions, we are unique individuals with our own thoughts and ideas. Those thoughts and ideas should be encouraged and listened to. After all, how can we excel if no one will help us by listening to what we have to say? Secondly, it holds us back. I've talked about this before, but my point still stands. How can we get past what people expect us to be unless people expect more of us?

I'm going to end with a bit of advice for anyone who has teens or is around teens on a regular basis. Talk intelligently to your teens. They'll enjoy it, and respect you more for it. Expect them to be what they are- adults in training, responsible and mature. Let them know what your expectations for them are, and don't lower them just because you think they're struggling to reach the goal.

To teens- if the expectations of you are low, don't let it discourage you. There are great resources online for those that don't want to live down to what everyone wants us to be like. The Rebelution (rebelling against low expectations) is one. Don't lose heart- there are others like you.

Learn more about this author, Kyla.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.