Teenagers

I am writing specifically about the group of teenagers ages 14 to 16. I have found little intellectual curiosity among them. Perhaps from years of indoctrination to point system of grading they have lost interest in really learning and only want a good grade. Many will do whatever is necessary to get a good grade and many do not care beyond the sanctions imposed by parents.

Teenagers are addicted to their ipods, iphones, cell phones etc. Social texting is an every hour part of their lives. Their vocabulary, especially the boys, is dusted with variations on the word "fuck"- "fucker", "fucked up", etc. They hold extreme loves and hates. Since their life revolves around their social world, they hate anyone who interferes in anyway with that world. Parents and teachers are sometimes the primary thrawters of their social interactions as they see it.

Girls as one would expect are obsessed by boys. They are often angry or hurt by a boy who cheated on them, used them, refused them or just plane won't pay attention to them. They spend a large amount of time being disillusioned about boys, hurt or just angry. Some of those in a relationship want to be out of it. Some of those not in a relationship want to be in one.

Boys as one would expect are focused on girls as conquest, getting laid or getting "pussy" as they would put it. They write in course unsophisticated ways about sex and relationships that reflect the shallowness of their thinking or insensitivity to the feelings of their challenges. Yet not all boys are like this. Many still are obsessed with sports or video games. If girls are on their radar they have not admitted it.

Teenagers often have relationships with parents full of high drama. But many acutely feel the difference between the old closeness they had as a child and now are upset by the way it seems to have changed. Many want that closeness back, but don't know how to get to it, don't know how to get over that communication gap that has developed so recently. Yet some, girls especially, have an extremely close relationship with their mothers. Their mothers have become their new buddies.

The media has a great influence on what teenagers think. They still buy products and wear fashions they think are cool. They love their favorite bands as we did. What is different is the variety of music out there today and the variety of tastes. Many boys and girls still love rap. There is still a mainstream popular music that many follow. But many teenagers have very sophisticated tastes in music and have keyed into world music and are open to many different types of music.

Some teens are into drugs and will experiment with anything. Marijuana is ever popular and in our school at least parents are the pothead roll models. But teenagers love to experiment with pills and will try whatever the local dealer comes up with. Cocaine is available as well as ecstasy. But the biggest drug of course is alcohol. Some kids get it from home. Some steal it from the local Safeway and some get older kids to buy it for them. Yet some have no interest in drugs of any kind.

As a teacher I am unhappy to report that most teenagers report that they are totally bored in the classroom. I would like to think that my class is an exception, but it is not. Their minds are elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong. In general I find teenagers wonderful people. They are usually friendly enthusiastic about social endeavors. They are fun and spontaneous. But overall I realize that my assessment is not kind.. It speaks perhaps of my desire to serve a different age and generation. I will have that opportunity come June.