I'm going to present a radical idea. It's an old idea, really, but it's been totally lost in "civilized" cultures of today.
Teenagers do not exist. In fact, the word "teenager" is a relatively new term. Before that, guess what 13-19 yr olds were considered? Children or young adults. That's right, you were one or the other.
But the important thing was back in the day you WANTED TO BE A MATURE ADULT. You strived for full adulthood, even if you were confused and emotionally unstable. You strived to be like your parents, because they were your "adult models". You immitated ADULT behavior.
Contrast that with today. Teenagers do not strive to be adults. Sure teens WANT to be adults, but they aren't striving for it. They strive for popularity, they strive for beauty, they strive for pleasure, they strive for love, but not adulthood.
Even worse, they are taught and encouraged by their parents and the world that THIS IS OKAY. It's okay to ignore the future, to revel in the here and now and not worry about tomorrow.
That is very unhealthy. You and I both know it.
Can you imagine if the entire "teenage" population was *striving* to be mature adults? Imagine the types of things they'd be into and want to achieve!
