A quick historical recap to start. As you know, teenagers were only invented in the post depression era, coming into their own post-WWII and were of course, they were American to start with. The evolution of the teenager as we know them today, is almost 80 years in the making – resulting in psychologists, fashion designers and movie makers making an absolute motza of dosh over the years.
As time has passed, and we have learned to treat children as humans (a relatively recent phenomena you have to agree), the teenager has become better understood – all that pesky hormones and developing brain stuff. No less frustrating of course. In fact they tend to be down right infuriating but we know enough to know that ‘this too shall pass’.
Of course, my children are not yet teenagers, not even tweenagers, and are perfect, so this is all hypothetical to me. But I was the best parent EVER before I actually had children, so I’m definitely able to help you now.
I admit to being somewhat in awe of the modern teenager. When I in my early teens, for some reason I can’t remember, I took two $50 notes out of my mothers purse and hid them by taping to the wall behind my dresser. Of course I was busted, my mother furious and I consequently spent some time in the salt mines.
Compare that with the lad that stole his parents credit card, took himself to Bali, stayed in a hotel and lived it up for a while, until they had to fly over and collect him. His mother SOLD the story to the media, and just calmly said “He doesn’t like the word No” and “I don’t think he’ll do it again.” No salt mines for him. Just Current Affair thank you very much and probably shit loads of kudos at school.
I mean that kid – he took teenage rebellion to a whole new level. I just hope he was brought up as Catholic as I was and is still feeling guilty thirty years later. Somehow though, I doubt it.
On the whole I love the chutzpah of teenagers today though. While some of them are skiving off and going to Bali, there are the ones like American Emma González who stands up to Drumpf and is an advocate for gun control, There is our own Rooan Al Kalmashi who uses her experience to advocate for refugee rights and encourages young people to become active citizens, or the delightful Bassam Maliki who set up Ubelonghere, an a project that fosters a culture of welcoming and inclusiveness around Australia and raises funds to support homeless youth and asylum seekers.
