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Teenagers! Who is ever going to understand them?

We were all teenagers at one time, but as we get older we try to block out all that angst. By the time we have teenage children of our own, it's all just a distant blur.

So what does make a teenager tick? Why do they wear the clothes they wear, act like they do and color their hair so much?

Teenage years are the puberty years. The hormones have kicked in, and we begin a voyage of self-discovery. No longer is Mom just Mom, Dad just Dad, and the house we live in just 'our house'. Teenagers are constantly asking why everything is like it is and trying to make it better. They look at the house you live in, the clothes you wear, the language you use and the car you drive and begin to wonder if that's the best way to be.

The nature of evolution means that each generation wants to do better. They want to look better, sound better and achieve more. After all, this is what makes the human race so great -we keep moving on.

Of course, it's not easy to change the world overnight. You still have to live with your (daggy) parents, go to the same (crappy) school and be part of your (boring) family. But there is light on the horizon! You can listen to the music you want, decorate your room how you want (within reason) and alter your appearance.

Now we're getting to it! Teenagers change their appearance to state their own identity. They are trying to find their own niche in the world, and one way to show allegiance to a cause is to dress in the uniform. Whether they are preppy or punk, sporty or street, they all want to show their individuality.

Regular changes of hair color signal a search for identity. The teenager is trying out different looks, trying to find out which one suits them. When they find one they are happy with, they will stop.

Nowadays, hair colorants are part of everyday life. They are as common as lipstick, and as easy to use. Changing your hair color is an easy way to change your look to suit the way you want to be, and teenagers embrace this (as they do any new idea) with a vengeance. What better way to show how cool you are then to do something 'radical' like coming to school with a whole new hair color?

Coloring your hair a really outlandish shade can also really annoy parents, and this is another reason teenagers do it. Bright pinks, blues and greens can start family rows and get you grounded for weeks - what street cred!

Hair color is semi-permanent. It grows out. It looks radical, but it's only temporary. So if you're a parent - chill - it's only a phase. If you're a teenager - go for it - but just think about the message it is sending out before you do.

Happy coloring!

Learn more about this author, Susan Hibberd.
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