Coming of age is one of the greatest times in life, and one of the most trying. It is
interesting that in the vast majority of cultures and languages on Earth, there is no word
and no concept for "teenager,” while we in the U.S. have a definite word and keen sense
of what it is like to be a teenager or live with a teenager. Nevertheless, the joys and trials
and tribulations of coming of age from 13 to 19 years old are a worldwide event that we
all experience in one way or another.
Making the transition from child to adult is a very scary and daunting process. We are all
full of emotions, thoughts and actions that no one but us teenagers seem to understand.
"Teenager" is naturally about acting out and coming out, showing our exit from childhood
and entry into adulthood. This time can become a resistance to do just that, and it is
demonstration of a need for recognition and attention, both positive and negative.
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Rebellion and defiance are part of the teenage years, but mostly when there is a
hierarchy or regime to rebel against and defy. This occurs when the teen is not
honored, and our current world paradigm both deifies and eschews teenage
demonstrations of coming of age. This is very confusing for youths in
the cusp
of adulthood. In truth there is no real specific age for youths to teens
to adults. When kids are caught between the good boy-bad boy
and good girl-bad girl paradox in the middle of all the heat and
sparks of just growing up and coming of age, all hell can break
loose in the heart, mind, body and world of the teen, and then
all hell breaks loose in families and cultures where teens are
misunderstood and poorly valued and supported.
Teenage years are fraught with deep emotional
and psychological issues of self esteem and self
worth, and tremendous peer pressure as we
emerge into the world as citizens. The teenage
years are the forum for the explosion of the sexuality
time bomb that has been ticking since babyhood, and
all teenagers struggle with huge hormone shifts and
body changes and personal shifts in viewpoint and
opinion, especially vis a vis parents and elders and thier
misuse of authority.
Teen Issues
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No person can benefit more from Your Personal Muse
than a bright teenager full of spunk, potential and issues,
for despite a seemingly closed and headstrong mind, the
teen heart is full of hope and dreams and passion, and
even if not, the issues and symptoms blocking the hope,
the dreams and passion are in plain view and readily
available. Teens need focused listening and attention,
and teens need grand adventures and a free forum for
expression and acting out that accomplishes the
emotional goal yet in a container that fits into the world.
Your Personal Muse is an awesome and hip ally for all teen issues,
but only the teen may reach out for support and inspiration and not
the parents or guardians. In truth there really are no teen problems
and issues, only a society and a world of parents and guardians, with
the problems carried over from the last generation, not yet ready for
each generation’s newly emerging expression of power, individuality
and genius. Let’s find out together what teen life is really about, the
TEEN way, and with Your Personal Muse in support.
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