Analyzing Teenage Cultural Issues

Whether it is a breaking news story, or a current social media trending topic, teen issues are always being discussed. In today’s society, their cultural issues have changed, making it hard to relate, and understand what teens are going through. Because of the ignorance, their issues are talked down upon, or blamed on the teenager’s hormones. They are also blamed on their friends, or other irrelevant influences, when in reality it is mostly internal. To adults, the causes are a mystery. The issues that they had as teenagers have drastically changed compared to today’s common issues. Don’t Look Behind You by Lois Duncan captures realistic causes and effects of common teen issues in today’s society such as teen defiance, consumption of alcohol, and the pressure to be or look a certain way.

Teen’s defiance to their parents is a growing mystery. Instead of trying to place a blame, it is important to try to understand how it can surface, and be handled. Many adults do not grasp the fact that they are faulty in causing a rebellion. Teen’s bad behavior can be a reaction to how the parent is disciplining them. Yelling seems to be the most common form. Parents do not know the negative effects it has. An article focusing on the effects of discipline states, “Those parenting actions increase the risk that the adolescent will misbehave and suffer symptoms of depression” (Hellmich, 1). It also goes on to say, “This may explain why so many parents say that no matter how loud they shout, their teenagers don’t listen” (Hellmich, 1). Parents should reevaluate their discipline methods. It is possible it is creating additional problems, rather than lessening the current one. Teens are also aging, and trying to find their own identity. An article describing teenage rebellion suggests, “Parents are also adjusting to being ‘de-idealized’, from being the smartest people in the world, Mom and Dad become members of an outdated generation who don’t know anything” (Slade, 1). In the book, Lois Duncan uses the main character, April, to convey the important message. April disobeys her parents, believing they do not understand her situation, and that she knows better. Her rebellion results in her regretting her disobedience. There is a lesson to be learned from both sides. Parents do not set strict rules to be mean, and teens do not rebel to look cool.

Many people drink to avoid a feeling or situation. Underaged drinking has increased so much, which could be related to the pressures and stresses of being a teenager. In the book, April noticed her mother started drinking when their family was put in a grave situation. An article speaking on the effects of alcohol defends her mother’s actions by saying, “Psychoactive substances such as alcohol produce pleasurable feelings, and may diminish stress and emotional pain” (Turner, 3). Trying to ease her situation, April’s mother turned to alcohol to help her cope with their family’s sudden scary change. An article that has information on the long term effect of drinking states, “Chronic imbiber might also become stuck in a high state of anxiety and fear, much like post traumatic stress disorder” (Beck, 4). This proves that drinking while in a dire situation is probably not the best idea. Drinking provides temporary relief. An article that focuses on the effects of drinking while young agrees, “People often drink because they don’t feel good, but drinking makes them feel worse, so they drink more” (Beck, 3). It is easy for teens to get caught up in this never ending cycle. The book does a great job of giving realistic long term effects of drinking. An article on the risk of frequent drinking explains, “While long-term heavy drinking affects the entire brain, the greatest damage occurs in the frontal lobe that controls executive function, which includes planning, controlling impulses, and modifying behavior, according to imaging studies” (Beck, 2). In the book, April recognizes her mother’s behavior change due to a car crash. April explains, “Mom’s started drinking since we’ve been in Florida, not just on special occasions, but all the time. We haven’t wanted to recognize it, so we’ve closed our eyes to it” (Duncan, 190). April’s mother also admitted to knowing she should not have driven, proving drinking can affect your impulses and behavior. Many teens have knowledge that they should not drive drunk, but they do it anyway. Driving while intoxicated is extremely irresponsible. This proves underaged drinking continues to be a problem. Teens drink to blend in, and shape their “image,” which is another issue they spend their time focusing on.

Teens are in constant competition with themselves. April is referred to as “Princess April” or “Rapunzel” due to her appearance and lifestyle. She was put in a situation where she had to conceal her identity. To do this, she was forced to cut her hair, and she was less than pleased. Teens are often described as dramatic, however in their eyes it is cutting into their appearance. Altering a teen’s appearance can take a toll on their confidence. An interview discussing teenage pressures, an individual says, “You know, it's not the usual suspects, you would think it's parents, or it's coaches, or it's teachers that are ramping up these expectations, but it all comes from the internal, these girls are doing it to themselves” (Taylor, 1). Because it is mostly mental and internal, the issue is hard to fix. Factors such as social media, peers, and self confidence all influence a teenager’s actions. Teens believe they should get great grades while balancing a social life, healthy lifestyle, and relationships, all while maintaining a great appearance.

If teenager’s issues in society are to be solved, a root cause has to be found. Don’t Look Behind You by Lois Duncan demonstrates causes, and potentially spark ideas to help fix these issues. Teens need to be paid closer attention. Even if the teen is hesitant to closer examination, it is for their own good. The book proves even a “perfectly average” teenager can be a victim to any of today’s cultural issues. There are plenty of issues, however the book focuses on the main ones. Teenagers are already under a lot of stress, they may not want to admit they need help. Even if they do things to provide some sort of relief, it may not be the healthiest form. Sometimes adults should take initiative to aid their teen's lives if they have concerning behavior. Teens are growing into adults, they may need a little push in a the right direction.

Works Cited

Beck, Melinda. “New Views on Long-Term of Frequent Drinking.” Wall Street Journal. 22 Dec. 2015. D.1. SIRS Issues Researcher Web. 10 Nov. 2016

Hellmich, Nanci. “Parents; Yelling, Swearing at Teens Backfires Big Time.” Gannett News Service. 03 Sep. 2013: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. 09 Nov. 2016

Slade Margot. “RELATIONSHIPS; Accepting Teenage Rebellion.” New York Times, 19 Aug. 1985. U.S. History in Context, 11 Nov. 2016

Taylor, Janet. "Profile: Parenting Today; Seventeen magazine's Ann Shoket discuss the pressures on teen girls." Today, 14 Apr. 2011. Global Issues in Context 10 Nov. 2016

Turner, Stephanie. “Drinking Under 21 Can Negatively Impact One’s Health.” Aiken Standard. 15 Aug. 2016: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher Web. 10 Nov. 2016