posted November 17, 2007 07:06 AM         

Teenagers - Learn more about a uniquely human phenomenon in our comprehensive special report.

The teenager is a uniquely human phenomenon.

Adolescents are known to be moody, insecure, argumentative, angst-ridden, impulsive, impressionable, reckless and rebellious. Teenagers are also characterised by odd sleeping patterns, awkward growth spurts, bullying, acne and slobbish behaviour. So what could be the possible benefit of the teenage phase?

Most other animals - apes and human ancestors included - skip that stage altogether, developing rapidly from infancy to full adulthood. Humans, in contrast, have a very puzzling four-year gap between sexual maturity and prime reproductive age. Anthropologists disagree on when the teenage phase first evolved, but pinpointing that date could help define its purpose.

There are a variety of current explanations for the existence of teenagers. Some believe that we need longer for our large brains to develop. Other explanations suggest that a teenage phase allows kids to learn about complex social behaviour and other difficult skills, or that it is even required to develop coordinated bipedal bodies adapted to travelling long distances.


Raging hormones

Scientists once thought that the brain's internal structure was fixed at the end of childhood, and teenage behaviour was blamed on raging hormones and a lack of experience. Then researchers discovered that the brain undergoes significant changes during adolescence.

According to many recent studies, teen brains really are unique (see interactive graphic). Though many brain areas mature during childhood, others mature later - such as the frontal and parietal lobes, responsible for planning and self-control.

Other studies have shown that teens fail to see the consequences of their actions, and that sudden increases in nerve connectivity in teen brains may make it difficult for teenagers to read social situations and other people's emotions.


Risky behaviour

One study in 2004 showed that teens have less brain activity in areas responsible for motivation and risk assessment, perhaps explaining why they are more likely to take part in risky activities such as abusing drugs and alcohol, develop a hard-to-kick smoking habit or indulge in under-age sex.

Teenage pregnancies and rising rates of sexually transmitted diseases among teens are big problems - especially because today's teen generation is the biggest the world has seen: a 2003 UN report revealed that 1 in 5 people were between 10 and 19, a total of 1.2 billion people.

posted December 03, 2007 12:15 AM         

You know, a lot of adults hate teens nowadays, which is so hypocritical because they have this delusion that they just popped out of the womb adult and all.

Yes, we teens do a lot of things that we can end up regretting, but if you really look at it, most only do it to get the attention of adults, who in turn end up ignoring us because of what we do in the first place. It's like a vicious cycle.

I think that adults should appreciate the positive things we teens do (mainly because someday the tables will turn and we'll end up supporting their senior citizen lives ) and that teens should find a way to gain attention in other ways, like creating better ideas for the future... instead of everyone blaming each other for everything.

(But I'm only 15. What do I know? :rolleyes

posted December 03, 2007 02:26 PM         

Thank you for the response too!

I'm certain that expession of these positive things will help break the stereotyping as will educating those whom seem biased.

What specific spiritual or creative things stand out to you as a teenager? Do you personally find interest in these things? Do you practice these things? Are these areas personal and private to you, or do you share these through expression with the world?

posted December 03, 2007 06:49 PM         

Honestly, though, I think that the most spiritualistic thing we do on a daily basis is just hug and other means of affection. The girls in my school hug each other (alot! Although it might be pretty common in many schools.) even if just to greet someone. I've heard that hugging and affection is actually extremely vital to our physical bodies and I believe that it's true. That's why it makes me mad that some schools are banning peers from hugging each other. It's hugging! Are you serious? They claim it becoming too 'sexual'. That's just plain ridiculous.

But yeah... I don't think people my age talk much about anything really spiritual, mainly because we know it's a touchy subject. (Created holy wars, after all.) I mainly keep my beliefs to myself. I also think if we started talking about it more now, people would just end up discriminating because of it.

It would be nice, though, to just talk freely about it!

posted December 04, 2007 06:41 PM         

------------------
Faust: [dancing with the young witch]
A lovely dream I dreamt one day
I saw a green-leaved apple tree,
Two apples swayed upon a stem,
So tempting! I climbed up for them.

The Pretty Witch:
Ever since the days of Eden
Apples have been man's desire.
How overjoyed I am to think, sir,
Apples grow, too, in my garden.