Chapter 1: The Teenage Mystique

While reading Hine's book, I keep seeing connections to the first chapter entitled "The Teenage Mystique." I find this chapter to be the most interesting part of the book. From the assumptions that people have about both past and today's teens to the standards to which they are held.

In the beginning of the chapter, some of the contradictions of the teenage stage are expressed. I find it interesting that adults do indeed find teenagers to be the root of many of today's problems and fear them to great extents, but at the same time, hold them to considerably high standards and say that they are the greatest hopes for the future (pg 11). The fact that the "teenager" was created to more easily group individuals is also interesting. By doing this and then making the assumptions that many adults do, feels almost like discrimination if one were to really think about it. Also by reading this chapter I feel that part of the reason that teenagers are seen as such horrible "creatures", if you will, is because of envy and intimidation. It was said that adults often see teenagers as the "[awareness] of [adults] own mortality" (pg 11), and also that "[adults] respond with wonder, envy- and alarm." (pg 11). I find this to be one of the greatest problems in society. To me, this envy, intimidation and discrimination is what drives some teenagers to be as rebellious as they are. It was stated that since adults feel this way they don't know how to, and don't bother to, handle situations and tend to neglect or ignore teenagers because it is believed to be easier. Just like any problem, it can't be solved by sweeping it under the rug.

Another interesting point is concerning only a portion of the teenage population. When one sees headlines in the newspaper or hear a story concerning a tragedy involving a teenager, it is believed that most teenagers act or think in the same way. I find it to be disgusting that because some teenage girls get pregnant, it is assumed that all teenage girls in that age group and from the same demographic region will more than likely get pregnant as well. I feel that these assumptions also contribute to rebellion. Think of it as a form of a self-fulfilling prophecy. This is something I have noticed in my own life. Though I have never been in trouble or done anything reckless or harmful to other people, I have often been approached with caution and not trusted by members of the adult society solely because I am young. Despite that, I have still been expected to act maturely and like an adult. This is just one example of some of the contradictions pertaining to the teenage mystique.