Teenagers are the first generation whose lives are saturated by mobile technology and social media, and they highly value diversity and inclusivity. They are increasingly aware of their own phone numbers and provide a new outlook on political, social, and cultural issues. In her book, psychologist Jean Twenge uses large-scale surveys to draw a detailed picture of teenagers’ values.
Teenagers are not afraid to trust, love, marry, and make lots of babies, but they are not afraid to be promiscuous and sexually experiment. This new outlook on political, social, and cultural issues may encourage their peers to be more open-minded and open to new experiences.
Understanding teenagers is crucial for developing rapport with them, exploring their values and goals, and fostering empathy and open communication. Teens are also shaped by the social, political, and economic events of the day, and they believe that understanding young people through the lens of identity, belonging, and purpose is essential.
Teens think adults are close-minded when it comes to same-sex marriage, different sexual orientation, and mixed-race dating. They point to the pressures and expectations placed on them, as well as their unique perspectives. Teenagers are sexually fluid, socially anxious, politically engaged, connected but lonely, and ask thought-provoking questions that many adults overlook when overlooking their generation. By fostering empathy and open communication, we can bridge the generation gap and strengthen relationships with today’s teenagers.
| Article | Description | Site |
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| Is This Normal? My Teens’ Gen Z Characteristics & Slow … | Informed, full of worldly opinions, but cautious, reserved: I don’t get my teens‘ Gen Z characteristics. A teen psychologist explains what’s … | blog.uvahealth.com |
| How will you explain the moral values of teenagers today? | Teens are afraid to trust, love, marry, and make lots of babies. Teens are not afraid to be promiscuous and to sexually experiment is ways that … | quora.com |
| 8 Things You Need to Know About Today’s Teenager | Teens think adults are close-minded when it comes to things like same-sex marriage, different sexual orientation, and mixed-race dating. This … | medium.com |
📹 Every teenager NEEDS to hear this!
This is the message I really needed to hear throughout high school and college. You Are Enough Already. This is Part 2! If YOU …
What Do People From This Generation Value?
People from older generations, particularly Gen Z, exhibit strong values of patriotism, education, courage, hard work, and perseverance, often sharing stories that reflect their experiences and contributions to current freedoms. The Baby Boomers, born between 1940 and 1964, carry forward distinct values shaped by their unique socio-political contexts. Despite generational differences, commonalities in values, motivations, and aspirations emerge as a unifying factor.
Gen Z, also known as iGen or Centennials, is characterized by a commitment to diversity, collaboration, flexibility, and authenticity in leadership, driven by a desire to engage meaningfully with their surroundings. Core issues for them include racial justice and sustainability, propelled by movements like the Global Climate March. In the workforce, both Gen Z and Millennials are increasingly emphasizing ethical leadership and organizational cultures promoting mental health and inclusivity.
Gen Zers, known for their entrepreneurial spirit and tech-savvy nature, prioritize creativity and positive impact, seeking meaningful work that allows them to contribute to societal good. They cultivate values of success, skill acquisition, authority, and recognition, reflecting their aspirations as they navigate an evolving landscape shaped by historical and cultural influences. Understanding these generational values fosters inclusivity and promotes a harmonious society.
When Did Teenagers Become More Common?
Before World War II, the term "teenager" was occasionally used, but it gained popularity in the late 1940s and 1950s due to various socio-economic shifts, including increased school enrollment among young people in wealthy countries. After the war, teenagers emerged as a distinct cultural and economic force in America, influenced by prosperity, technology, and the baby boom. The transition to recognizing teenagers as a unique group occurred as more youths stayed in school, moving away from early workforce entry, evidenced by rising high school enrollment—from 28% in 1920 to over 80% by 1941.
The 1950s saw teenagers increasingly self-aware, asserting their own identities and styles, which the fashion industry began to follow. This new demographic cohort created social customs separate from family and work, fostering an environment for self-expression. The word "teenager" was popularized in 1944, reflecting societal changes that afforded youths privacy and a burgeoning sexual revolution, leading to experimentation with behaviors. By the 1950s, awareness grew regarding the expectations and behaviors of this group.
Historically, before the mid-20th century, adolescence was not seen as a distinct life stage, as youths typically transitioned directly from childhood to work. The modern notion of the teenager, acknowledging a unique cultural and social landscape, began to take shape in this transformative era.
What Makes Today'S Teenagers Unique?
Today's teenagers, often termed "iGens," are the first generation deeply influenced by mobile technology and social media. In her book, psychologist Jean Twenge uses extensive surveys to present ten unique qualities defining this generation and the cultural factors impacting them. While parents and teens largely agree on the challenges of modern adolescence, their perceptions of issues like social media pressure differ. Teens face unprecedented levels of anxiety and awareness of societal issues, including political instability and climate change, which shape their identities.
Communication methods have changed drastically; unlike previous generations, today's youth primarily communicate through devices, often leading to difficulties with traditional interactions. Despite these challenges, many express a love for the friendships and fun of adolescence. While the qualities of today’s teens differ from past generations' attributes—like confidence and openness—individual experiences vary widely.
Ultimately, these teens navigate mental health challenges and societal pressures in a rapidly changing digital landscape, redefining what it means to be a teenager in contemporary society. Understanding these differences can enhance family communication and bridge generational gaps, fostering more supportive environments for today's youth.
What Is The Generational Gap In Teenage Dating Experiences?
The generational divide in teenage dating experiences among men is significant. Gen Z males are over twice as likely as baby boomer males to report having no significant other during their teenage years, with 44% versus 20%. A survey indicates that only 56% of Gen Z adults, and 54% of Gen Z men, engaged in romantic relationships as teenagers. This decline in dating is further substantiated by a study exploring generational dating trends, highlighting societal perceptions of age gaps in relationships.
Many individuals believe that relationships diverging from societal norms can be problematic, with a majority indicating age should not be a major factor in dating decisions. Notably, 59% of women are more receptive to younger partners. Among teens aged 13 to 17, 35% report some relationship experience, yet the majority of older generations, such as Baby Boomers and Generation X, had higher rates of teenage partnerships (78% and 76%, respectively).
In contrast, Gen Z's social connections largely occur online, influencing their dating behaviors and reducing face-to-face interactions. This generational shift underscores the impact of digital communication on relationship dynamics. Ultimately, understanding and bridging the generation gap in dating involves recognizing differing attitudes, values, and experiences, thereby fostering healthier relationships. The exploration of these complexities ultimately emphasizes the importance of mutual respect and communication.
Does Generation Z Have A High Rate Of Teenage Loneliness?
In the current study, findings indicate that Generation Z reports high rates of loneliness, aligning with research showing increased social disconnection among today's youth compared to previous generations. Adolescent loneliness has surged globally, with 2018 data revealing nearly double the number of adolescents experiencing school loneliness compared to 2012. Approximately 73% of those aged 16 to 24 struggle with feelings of isolation. Generation Z, born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s, scores 48.
3 on loneliness, higher than millennials at 45. 3. This generation is facing unprecedented loneliness, exacerbated by challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which intensified anxiety and distress. Surveys indicate that a significant percentage of Gen Z feels lonely—71% of millennials and 79% of Gen Z report loneliness, overshadowing older generations. Moreover, 61% of Gen Z adults experienced loneliness during their teenage years, compared to 57% of millennials, with even lower rates observed among Generation X (44%) and baby boomers (36%).
Experts warn about the health risks of loneliness, likening its effects to smoking 15 cigarettes daily. Overall, Generation Z appears to be grappling with an epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, necessitating awareness and intervention.
📹 Career advice for teenagers: Value your values Amy MacLeod TEDxKanata
As teenagers prepare to enter a new work world with jobs that don’t exist and can’t yet be imagined, what kind of career advice do …
I’m 15 rn and the summer this year really made me into the person i truly am. I stopped caring what others had to say and it made me invincible in a way. Going to school felt better and just being outside my house felt better because i didn’t care what others thought of me. My life has been a shitshow filled with depression and anxiety for 3 years all because of societies pressures on me and i still have depressive episodes for months sometimes. But what i’m trying to say is, don’t give a fuck about what others think of you because your health and your happiness is more important than what that random person you see at school or work thinks of you. Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.
I’m just in high school and I felt very identified with the article, one of my biggest challenges has been the fact of not feeling included, being rejected, feeling less than others and not having as many friends as the “popular” ones. I often compare myself with them a lot to the point of feeling very bad almost every day. perusal this article made me cry because I thought I was the only one going through all of that, it really made me think if being popular really matters and I don’t need to fit in because I know I’m not like them and I can be different in my own way, I can being judged but it’s much better than being fake. man, you literally changed my way of thinking.. i really needed to hear this, thanks.
You changed my life. You’re like me man, here’s mine. When I was in elementary, I liked to dance, I liked to draw, I like to create stuff. Doing these type of things made me who I am right now. But when you go on and on, time passes and you’re eventually in 8th grade almost on to high school, and I almost lost interest in type of things that I liked to do because of my “friends” and I wanted to be cool like everyone doing the same stuff they did. But then I realized, the things that make us cool is what we already love to do. So one day when my “friends” told me to stop drawing and it was stupid I said “Then don’t be around me then”. Just keep on doing what you love and focus on it because that is who you are that makes you cool, just be you, be yourself because God chose to make you this way, to be special like everyone else, like this man and teen. Thank you for the 0.00001% who read this comment.
“Popularity does not mean quality” Omg this is so trueeee Sometimes i think why can’t i be popular like the other girls cuz they can do everything they want,,,,, but popular doesn’t mean that ur a good person tho, sometimes just be your self is better than be someone else, no matter you are popular or not.
Its true. I stopped caring for others opinion when I realized that i may be liked by less people if i do my thing but the people who would still like me would be good people. And when i started to do what I want and stopped caring for being popular, i actually became more popular than ever. Dont chase it, do your thing and it will come to you
In my school, there are signs with the words “You are enough.” However, as we know, actions speak louder than words. At my school, Sprague High School, words are spoken, but not actions. We memorize, but don’t learn. We survive, but don’t live. People like you are what we need to be stronger. And I’m not just talking about Prince. I’m also talking about you, the people at home. In the end, you are the only one who can choose to be better. EDIT: Keep in mind that, while you may be the only one who can choose to be better, talking to a therapist or similar can still help.
I once had someone make a horrible TikTok about me. It was insanely inaccurate. My name was spelt wrong, they were making fun of things they thought I liked. People started viewing me different because of it. However, I learnt that even if people do this kind of stuff, they are just doing it to look cool. They are doing it to replicate other people’s success. The way to be cool isn’t to do what others do, which is what this person was doing. The way to be cool is to be yourself, to love everyone, and not bullying. Cause even if you aren’t well known, like you probably want to be, success doesn’t come from copying others. It comes from being yourself. You don’t have a long time on Earth to do that, so you have to do it quick. As Apple founder Steve Jobs once said: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
This guy literally said my favourite line People are loved for being fake and hated for being real I wish I saw this in grade 6 now I’m in grade 7 But it is still worthy I mean it encourages me to be real in front of my fake friends I hate fake things There’s nothing I hate more than fake things in this world Like I’m crying while posting it
I’m the only introvert in my group and all my friends are extroverts.. They make friends easily, talk without any hesitation, are brave… Everyone likes them.. sometimes I wonder how it is to be like them.. I’m shy, not friendly, it takes lot of time to trust someone, afraid of being judged… This is how I am… But thanks man! For changing my view ( btw I’m sorry for my bad English) EDIT : YOUR REPLIES MADE ME GO AWW😭 THANKS FOR CARING 😭
I have a story for you guys. As a little kid I never knew who I wanted to be or what I wanted to do. I was just a cute girl who was admired from my friends and family. And as I grew older I started to realize what makes me happy. I like to sing and dance and be a good person in the world and express my creativity. But in elementary school, and to think elementary school isn’t that tough but it can really hurt sometimes. Anyway, whenever I would be myself and do those things that would make me feel happy and make me feel like I’m being the real me, some people got irritated. They would challenge me to stop breaking out of excitement or energy bursts for rewards. And it didn’t feel good. Resisting to be some one I’m not and to be just a quiet person was never great for me. I needed to stand out. Not only in elementary did people tell me to do that but my cousin started to as well. Me and my cousin were very close but as we grew older we lost interest in things we used to love to do together. He would call me annoying and a liar just for being myself. But one day I started to ignore everyone. When my cousin would say “STOP” or “that’s so annoying” or “STOL DOING THESE THINGS” I’d just roll my eyes and say “then I guess don’t be around me. Because if you can’t stand the real me, I can’t help you with that.” Thank you very much to the 0.001% who read this I really appreciate it and I hope this advice can help you too. ❤️ ✨
…. Today is Jan 2 2023 and really, this is the first time I saw this article… Being who you and not being a copy like everyone else can make you be truly happy and popularity not mattering. It speaks a lot really… It somewhat made me happy just and not faking a smile then usual. I wish I saw this when I was 12(almost 15 now) yrs old tho… But it’s okay, it’s better seeing this article now then later. Seeing it later, I will only continue sinking and struggling to try to be me and stop being what everyone wants me to be. My day just feels lighter and brighter now. 🙂
thanks for this article. recently I was thinking about maybe I’m not enough and that’s why now I’m single for 4 years, I was really needing this article, it saved me, f*ck what people feel or think about me, I’m cool, cool for myself, I love myself, and I focus on myself and trying to know and developing myself, actually I’m grateful for how I am and make myself better every each day, TRYING TO BUILD YOURSELF NOT PEOPLE OPINION, only thing is a matter that I love myself, f*ck others
Look, I’ve liked this girl for years now. I’ve tried to act cool in front of her, change my appearance, my voice, etc, but nothing worked. She’s a nice girl, but she didn’t seem interested in my ‘cool’ appearance. Anyways, I gave up one day. I literally went up to her and said: “I like you, but you don’t like me, so that’s fine.” She looked straight into my eyes, and said: “See you around.” That day forward she texted me on instagram, tagged me in photos, stared at me in class, and once held my hand when we were on a school excursion. That day forward, I realised that I, myself, am always a better person than the person I’m trying to be. A week before our school dance, I went up to her desk in the middle of class, when everyone was perusal, and asked her if she wanted to go to the dance with me. She said: “Yes, that sounds amazing.” At the dance, we looked each other in the eye while slow dancing to beautiful music, as if staring into each others souls, and we shared a kiss that seemed forever. I love this girl with everything, from my heart to soul, and motivated me to complete life with happiness and inspiration. I hope you learn from my journey, Best wishes. Edit: thank you for all the motivational comments!
This article is about what we think about. This article is a reflection for who we want to be, “Popularity isn’t everything” be yourself and show what the real you is what the man said “fake diamonds are perfect while real one has flaws” so fake people appear perfect but real ones makes mistakes we are just like diamonds but in a different way. This article is also reflecting me. I dont know how or why but something from this article reflects to all of us. So be yourself.
This is how I used to feel a long time ago. When I was younger, i wanted to be popular. But i never got it because people thought i was weird and they hated me for it. I felt down. So when I became a fake person people started to like me. Whenever i would come home, i was left unsatisfied and cried and hated myself on the inside because that person i was at school, wasn’t me. But now, i realized that popularity doesn’t mean quality or equality. It just means a prison. A cage to lock yourself up in. But when I went to middle school, I found people that accepted me and cherished me as a friend. I love them like they are my family. They mean everything to me. So when I stopped acting fake, I became a better human being. I like being weird, i like being goofy, and i like getting people to laugh at something. So I appreciate who i am now and i have realized that i am enough and people now will accpet me for who i am.
here’s a story of mine there was this girl she was happy well that’s how she looked like but deep inside she was dying. Her parents were strict they would make half of their time studying and 30 minutes of chores and a 10-minute break. The girl is the top of the class but her parents did not approve she would always get compared by her mom, sister, brother, friends, and family. She became depressed and she starting to cut herself because she wants to numb the pain. She was bullied at school emotionally and physically she would never feel safe at school or at home but she had one single person there for her. Her name was Mj. Mj was always there for the girl. but when they had to move to Canada she was sad she had to leave the one single person that actually never said anything mean to her. A few months passed Mj died by cancer. The girl thought it was her fault so she started to cut herself more and more she tried to deal with all the stress. The girl was trying to be positive but she couldn’t. And that girl is me. Hi….
me: gets bullied for having ADHD. 8 year old me: has depression. 10 year old me: father is still beating me. 11 year old me: survives depression after many suicidal though soon to be 12 year old me: has the best friends in the entire world who accept me for me and finally surpass those who bullied me and have finally settled on becoming the greatest female soccer player ever. it terrible how people so young can go through so much. but its amazing how one person can change everything. thank you mama.
My learning from this article — + Popularity doesn’t mean quality. + Fake people appear perfect,real people make mistakes have flaws +True happiness is when you like you! + Being not popular can give you time for yourself +Don’t trade your dignity for popularity. You may not be popular now but you will be great one day + What you build and what you became will rest of your life +Some people are loved for being fake some people are judged for being real. BUT YOU HAVE TO BE REAL NO MATTER WHAT! + It’s better to be hated for who you ARE then loved for who you’re NOT Remember: you are enough!!!and maybe now you are not popular but someday you will be great my friend………..
When at the end you said you had a free gift to boost our confidence, I started to cry, I discovered your website today, and have already watched a little amount of articles. I have so many ideas, so many hopes to change the world, because we are the future, yet, no self confidence, never had, I do not want to care anymore of what other may think of me.. But it’s so hard to escape that set of mind. So.. Thank you, for everything, you are a life changer.
you’re a teenager.take chances.stay up late.go to the person you’re in love with, stand up for what you think is write, laugh all the time, stay confident, have amazing friendship, dance like no ones dancing, blast music as loud as you can, be yourself, sleep late on the weekends, try new things, take amazing pictures, make great memories, always remember that the people who judge you, aren’t worth it, live your life to the fullest because when you become an adult you will have to work and you will have to take care of your family, do all this but don’t do things stupid like act cool because you are who you want yourself to be and you aren’t the same as others, don’t try to be someone you’re not because when you change your friends and family won’t recognize you and change it good but sometimes i can be bad for you
As a teenager I do sometimes care about what people think of me I want to fit Into their Idea of what Is cool and what Is their Idea of being Interesting but I understand that reality Is different I still have struggles I definitely struggle a lot with my mental well being but I know I’ll learn from every obstacle and challenge because that’s why we have obstacles In the first place
oh damn 1st time I cried this hard after a long time. I became a guy who’s damn shy when 2020 came, you know when the pandemic started, quarantine and lockdown stuff. Then 2022 came, face to face classes, all my confidence disappeared after the quarantine, I became a guy who has no self confidence lol so its hard to make friends at school and I just became more depressed lmao. And then 2023 came and yt decided to recommend this vids to me, I felt emotional… Ill try my best from now on and hope that this feeling of motivation will stay.
I guess I’m the only teenager who never followed that path. I tried making friends and being with people, but as no one wanted to be my friend, I didn’t try to fit in, I isolated myself from everyone for a long time. I didn’t care what other people thought ever or tried to fit in, I tried that and realized it didn’t work very quickly, so I isolated myself instead. So now, I am myself, but I’m also a lot less social then I used to be before I was a teenager.
I’m a student and what my father want from me is that you have to speak english fluently not only my father but also some if my family members 😢 because it is important in your future for every task but our national language is other and no one focus on that language but after perusal this article it realize me that let just them speak what they want to speak, just focus on what you want.
Even though this comment was uploaded 3 years the same time I was always alone in my class when recess starts but after perusal this article it showed me that my life is like that except for being fake but you know what screw everyone who judge ignore and discriminate me cause i am glad to be an introvert and myself thank you prince ea for making me realize this 100 percent
You are such an inspiring person. I recognize myself in this story and felt great perusal this article. I never was populair but when I tried to work on myself, thinks really started to get better and the past makes you the person you are now. Thank you so much for putting a smile on my face today! ❤️