Growing up as a teenager in nowadays's harsh world could be especially tough. Teenagers today are faced with much harder choices than those from decades ago, along with the common topics that all teens face. Puberty happens earlier in some cases, and infants must deal with that. Then come issues of bullying, peer pressure, drug use, smoking, and trying to be an individual. While this is happening, a teen still has family problems and school to deal with. It's no wonder that the teen years are the hardest in one's life.



Perhaps the extensive teenager issue of every one of is peer pressure ? the need to conform to the expectations of other people in your environment and of your age bracket. There can be over-concern from parents about peer pressure leading teenagers into bad habits and mischievous acts, but as is suggested in Anthony Burgess? novel A Clockwork Orange, at intervals teenagers need to experiment in ways that are frowned upon by polite society in order to transcend them. For example, many teenagers who sample drugs don't go on to become users in later life.

Another issue that teenagers present always faced is the desire to fit in, yet express their individuality. As a child grows, they are moulded by their parent's beliefs and lifestyle. They may have grown up living a certain style, being a particular religion, even eating a certain specimen of food. When the teenage years hit, largest teens will lead off to desire to break out of their parents mould. They will try to pinpoint their own identity and create their individuality. This may denote dressing a certain fashion, hanging out with a certain group, or changing their religion. Larger times, an expression of individuality can be perfectly harmless, but it is important to keep a close watch on anything that gets too extreme.

Bullies are cowards, as the old adage has it, with internal security problems that they take out on those whom they perceive to be weaker. Bullying is especially a issue amongst children and teenagers, as they display yet to be properly socialized and individuated as adults. Thus, their moral perception is immature, and they are less likely to encounter guilty or ashamed about subjecting others to abuse. Although certain steps could be taken to stamp out bullying, this process is complicated by the fact that similar power relations exist across our societies. One need only turn on the TV or read the newspapers to locate a depiction of a powerful antagonist creating life hard for a weaker subordinate.

Puberty is that time in a human being's life when they begin to change from a baby into an adult. Puberty happens in girls faster than boys, and may occur between 9 and 13 years of age. Boys begin puberty between 10 and 14. Puberty is marked in girls as the enter of the menstrual cycle, growing breasts, developing more pubic hair, and getting taller. Boys will notice a change in their voice as it deepens, and will also approach to grow more facial hair, as well as grow taller. With the onslaught of hormones rushing through a teenager's body at puberty, this can be a difficult time indeed.

The teenage years can be highly stressful because of family, friends, and school. Add to the mix the onset of puberty, peer pressures, bullying, and other issues, and teenagers could sense overwhelmed a gratifying portion of the time. It is very important to keep abreast of your teenager's problems and concerns far and near their years, and to try and get them to open up and be honest with anything they need to be. Being there for a teenager could be a lifesaver for numerous in stressful situations.