I remember

I remember learning in history class that the concept of a teenager is fairly modern. Even in western countries, up until 150 years ago or so you'd be out working on the farm or as an apprentice or something. Basically doing an adult's job and being treated like an adult more or less. No special label for that time of your life. So I have long believed that the "problem" of teenagers is socially constructed. We created the modern teenager, and for some reason people don't like being in that box. Most either act out or turn inward in response. I don't think it's just about infantilization and denying them agency. At least not by itself. I think it's about demanding adult-like responsibilities without giving any adult-like privileges. It's like the whole "taxation without representation" thing ... we impose all the bad stuff form adulthood on them without giving them any of the good stuff ... or at least giving them any say in the whole thing. In any case, this all feels pretty academic to me. Since my AoA pretty much ends at puberty, any deconstruction of the modern teenager, or progress on granting agency along with puberty, would kind of leave me right back where I started. Please find me a study that says we should be giving more agency to ten year olds. :D (hugs) -= ryvid =-