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Ina
Senior Member
since 2000-10-09
Posts 1236
Quebec, Canada

0 posted 2001-03-08 06:28 PM


I dont expect to really see any replies to my post....Im just going to tell you all how I , Regina Levy feel. In the past days, I've been noticing alot of bad media placed upon teenagers. As I speak as a fourteen year old teen, I may seem a tad childish or rude. I have not seen much of this world in my fourteen years, ive seen pain, love and more but not enough to judge this world. But of what I've seen as I reached the age of thirteen, a brand new teenager. The adults of our world shun us. Treat us with so little respect, it burns. Sex, drugs and alchol. That's what we teens are alkies, junkies and sex porstutes.....i think not.
Receantly, Ive come face to face with the authority figures, who have the misconception of teenage life.
"when i was a kid....we had...." isnt that the beginning of some of the most bull filled lectures?

I respect adults, my parents etc...even if i may not like them.

Auburn hair died black with a blueberry tint,dark green eyes filled with rebellion, Parody baby-T, baggy pants and bead necklaces.....
"Run and hide....Regina, the teenage rebel is going to destroy the world, shes gonna bring chaos....save me....."
Perhaps ppl are to quick to judge?I think yes.

As a spoiled child would say," I demand respect"

EVeryday, i see another dream or life crushed. I see pain and anguish. BUt i also see happiness and love, when a teen gets a pat on the back, a "great job!" and little bit of respect.

i have much more to say .....but ill stop here...abd continue another day.

Regina

© Copyright 2001 Regina Levy - All Rights Reserved
Allan Riverwood
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2001-01-04
Posts 3502
Winnipeg
1 posted 2001-03-08 06:48 PM


I do believe you have started something with this thread, my friend.
Now personally I have seen many advances in society as of late-- we have been seeing less racism, sexism, and overall prejudice in our more recent times, and this is quite admirable.
But one minority remains pretty much untouched, most likely because these people have no real political power or anything, can't vote, can't speak up...
We are the teens. Today's youth.
I go outside and walk around, and am avoided by people. I am told to meet someone at a certain place, only to be "politely asked to leave" by the store owners while I wait. I am flanked by security guards or suspicious eyes whenever I enter a shop of any sort. And most importantly, when I speak I am not heard. People's ears have been turned off to me.
And who would deserve such treatment? Today's teens.
Where I live, I have a pretty good idea of what the "typical teen" is.

~~~~The ~REAL~ Typical Teen~~~~

Someone who attends school, has a group of people with whom s/he converses, is focused on things such as relationships, music, video games, etc. The typical teen hasn't spent much time in the world, so s/he has limited wisdom. Thus, the typical teen is curious, full of questions about the world and, perhaps because of this, is often "skeptical" about things. S/he dresses mainly in a t-shirt and jeans, or perhaps something different depending on variations in body shape/size, sex, hair colour, etc.
And that is, in my experience, what the "typical teen" is.
Well here is the "typical teen" portrayed by media--

~~~~The Alleged Typical Teen~~~~

The typical teen is enrolled in school, but would much rather go out and do drugs than go to class. S/he has a group of friends, with whom s/he enjoys damaging public property, shoplifting, and stealing cars. The typical teen is disrespectful and full of stupid questions that s/he will go on and on about. S/he dresses in bandanas and torn-up dirty jeans, with shirts that contain profane remarks. S/he is a menace to society.

The problem is that the media only feels it important to publicize the "bad" teens of today. Another problem is, in my opinion, that this generation has a taste for something different than the previous generation had. For example, computers. I spend a lot of time on my computer, and my parents happen to think it is the "cause of all my problems." I think that not enough ~adults~ are willing to accept what is new, and what appeals to the people of today. This creates a problem for those of us who wish to be ~ourselves~ as opposed to who our parents want us to be.
I'm with you, Regina. I love my parents.
I am simply sick of being at social events with my family where I say something, and nobody even shows signs that they heard me.
I am attending school, and about to graduate next year, get a job and support myself.
Until then, I would still like to be recognized as a human being.
~Allan

If I had your eyes, I'd be blind. For I can only see out of my own. ~~Carly Van Dort



[This message has been edited by Allan Riverwood (edited 03-08-2001).]

Dopey Dope
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Patricius
since 2000-08-30
Posts 11132
San Juan, Puerto Rico
2 posted 2001-03-08 06:49 PM


Nicely done regi.....I'm going to have to agree with you on a few accounts....for the most part you are right. A lot of adults do judge us upon generalized misconceptions. It's to be expected in a world where society brands people even before they are born.

On another note, do we as teens not judge also? I am afraid that when it comes down to it.......the cruel of the cruel is us. Ever heard of that one phrase where it says something about kids being the cruelest? yea I completely believe it's true.
We shun ourselves away in the sense that if a kid is a "geek", wham he's in the reject bin for his whole highschool time period.
So what I am trying to say is this......we should command respect from adults, but at the same time I think we need to worry more about the kids who pertain to our age first.
To achieve respect from adults, we must achieve respects to each other as commrads.


adios!



I was born myself, raised myself, and will continue to be myself. The world will just have to adjust.

I'm in love with my shadow
I admire it daily

Crash&Burn
Member
since 2001-01-18
Posts 119

3 posted 2001-03-08 07:56 PM


Regi I completely understand and share your feelings. We are judged to quickly, all because there are some that make bad decisions in their lives. When on screws up and it's all over the news that's the first thing your told as soon as you see an adult....you see how that kid did this or that. We deserve a chance and a voice my only hope is that when I do become an adult I learn from these moments an treat my future spawn, if I do have any, and have them brought up as equals not inferior.



I see the darkness coming all is bleak...

Ina
Senior Member
since 2000-10-09
Posts 1236
Quebec, Canada
4 posted 2001-03-08 08:56 PM


everyone i agree with you all......
javier...look what u've started "regi"...lol
Regina
thanks for your replies

Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
5 posted 2001-03-08 10:55 PM


Believe or not, most of us have felt this way. We grow up in our parents world and have to struggle to make it our own. And in doing that, we don't always do things the way our parents did. And they let us know that we weren't 'like them'!

I think teens have a rough time! There is so much pressure on you - you don't get to just be teens.

But I think respect is a mutual thing. I will respect anyone, until they prove they are not worthy of it. And it's not age or gender biased.

The world would be a better place if we treated everyone as we would want to be treated.


Irie
Senior Member
since 1999-12-01
Posts 1493
Washington State
6 posted 2001-03-09 01:15 AM


Funny thing is.....many of these "adults" that are bashing teens seem to have forgotten one thing......

They were teens once too!


I will also say there are some teens out there that are out of control, cause trouble etc. But that doesn't mean that ALL teens are trouble.
I can remember my teen years quite well. Though, times have changed a bit in some ways, and in others they have not.

I agree with Sharon.....If you deserve it....you'll get the respect from me you deserve until you prove your self otherwise.


~Sheri

"The things that come to those that wait may be the things
left by those who got there first"



nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
7 posted 2001-03-09 08:06 AM


I have been reading all of the feelings and emotions that began this whole controversy.

And with what the media shows, at least that which I watch and listen to, is but a portion of reality.
Teenage years are rough and even rougher when both parents are working and you have no one to come home to but a computer or tv or videogames. I think you are lumping adults into a category, just as you don't wish to be. Many of us use the computer, it is a necessity in life today for a job that helps give you all those things that a person needs to survive. And for me it is also a pleasure to use to communicate with new friends and relatives.
As far as being a teenager,
being different today is hardly that anymore. For all those teenagers that have purple hair etc..are not different, they join other groups and friends who dress and look the same so they really are not individuals, but are just expressing themselves in a willingness to fit in somewhere with their own crowd. This was done in my time with the beatles and long hair..and believe it or not girls had to wear dresses and boys couldn't wear jeans.. and yes I am sure you hate those way back when stories just as we use to hate hearing out parents say they walked a mile in the snow...I am just trying to tell you that nothing has changed...only the means of acting out...and the reactions of those who are frustrated.

I read Brads comments..and I think all he was trying to say to you was that in the forum you were in..you have to be able to take criticism, and back up with fact what you are trying to say. He just wanted you to be more clear, more precise...and I do not know Brad at all....so I am not biased...he tried to keep explaining to you what he wanted of you to share in there...I just think that sometimes there is miscommunication and it leads to being frustrated and then hurt. But I am a former teacher and I think he wanted you to be more careful of your terms, the spelling of them which made some words not mean what they were supposed to, in fact some were not even real words...but knowing how young you are it is understandable that mistakes will be made. And,in the heat of arguing on here, the typos become many (I should know for in another name...I battled elsewhere on here until I realized how stupid I was beginning to sound trying to defend myself)

This probably was the forum in which you should have posted. I believe the other is for those who have experienced a bit more in life. That is not to say that anything anyone says is not worthwhile expressing. I know Dopey_Dope and have emailed with him. I respect him and his ability as a young person. And I hope you don't lump everyone into being against the young, for not every adult feels that way. But try to remember, we have lived longer and some day you will be saying as I do, "you know she /he was right..I wish I would have listened more."
* OH I wanted to add one more thing after I reread again...Crash & Burn..whatever children you may "spawn" in your adult life...they will never be your equal and you will never be able to treat them as such..even when they become adults and marry etc... because you will always be the parent..and you will see that when the time comes..you can be more tolerant and be more willing to be there for them and listen, support and show your love..but they will never be your equal..and that is a definition that is precise. You will be reprimanding them when needed with hopefully a love that will let them learn what is right and wrong and what can and cannot hurt them and others...so they will become the kind of adult that is self- sufficient and that is the most that a good loving parent can hope for.

huggzz to all you future adults

Maureen/Wynter/nakdthoughts


"The worst prison would be a closed heart".
...Pope John Paul II





[This message has been edited by nakdthoughts (edited 03-09-2001).]

Acies
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-06-07
Posts 7665
Twilight Zone
8 posted 2001-03-09 09:12 AM


I'm just looking at everyone's ideas on this matter, then later I'd give my own comments

"So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this give life to thee." W.S.

Dopey Dope
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Moderator
Member Patricius
since 2000-08-30
Posts 11132
San Juan, Puerto Rico
9 posted 2001-03-09 04:15 PM


Hooray! I'm respected for my ability as a young person!!
hehe......nice to know!



I was born myself, raised myself, and will continue to be myself. The world will just have to adjust.

I'm in love with my shadow
I admire it daily

sans38
Member
since 2001-03-03
Posts 117
Westland, Michigan
10 posted 2001-03-09 06:06 PM


Hi all...I'm so glad I found my way into this forum! Things have not changed much from when I too was a teen...I'm 41 now....yikes!...but from what I've read here the teens of today feel much the same as I did when I was one. My husband and I caught the tail end of the "hippie" days when drugs, long hair, and free love were a sign of the times. Even if you were not a part of that scene you were still lumped into that "freak" category. My husband for instance was a straight A student but he happened to have hair than hung down past his waist.....he was looked down on by teachers and many adults simply because of the way he looked. We felt looked down upon and ignored by adults....I still remember how frustrating it felt! Soon after we graduated high school we got married and moved on into the "adult world" where we still struggled for acceptance. When we tried to rent our first appartment or applied for credit to buy that first "killer sound system" lol We were still looked down on and denied because of our age.
I decided then and there that when I had children I was going to teach them tolerance and acceptance of ALL people, and to treat others with the respect that they too would want others to show them.
My kids are now 20 and 18 and are both very giving and caring souls who accept and respect the many different types of people in this world.
What is sad to say is not everyone has adopted this mode of thinking and young people are still treated with disrespect.
I guess the only thing that any of us can do to change things is as individuals give our respect and attention to all who's path we cross and teach our children to do the same. Perhaps in time everyone will get the message and a future generations can reap the rewards of our efforts.
Sorry if I rambled on there : )

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
11 posted 2001-03-09 07:32 PM


Yes D_D you are respected by me..you make me smile when I read you

~Wynter


and sans 38..I am a bit older was at the beginning of the love-in days but never fit in...actually being too straight-laced was a bad thing back then..but understanding is what is needed today and in the future...and tolerance..which is a shame that it seems to be regressing right now...
ask any adult today and they would say they are glad they aren't a teenager..but I recall my parents saying the same to me *s

Maureen


"The worst prison would be a closed heart".
...Pope John Paul II



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