The Psychology Behind High School - From the Viewpoint of a High Schooler

As I have entered high school this year, I have noticed many changes in my peers, and classmates. Many people began to drink coffee and start cursing every other sentence, and change their looks by getting nose-rings, dying their hair, or getting ear rings (for some guys). I am not saying these things are bad.  It's not my style, but it's their life. However, I have noticed that it happened all at once in the last year, so I've decided to take a look into the psychology behind these changes. 

Rebellion

Children do these things as a form of rebellion against cultural standards, and higher authorities (parents). 

I have learned that my peers, and many other high school students go through this change as a way of trying to grow up and become more independent from those who support them. 

This can be dangerous for a child's future though, because as they try to fit in, they might give up on the activities that had been important to them growing up (like playing piano) because their friends aren't interested in them continuing, but their parents are. (Parents unhappy = Friends happy) 

Now, why drink coffee, dye your hair, or get body piercings? This is another form of rebellion against authorities, but it is also another form of rebellion. It is rebellion against the "norms" of society for this age group. High school kids do this to feel unique from their peers, feel "separate" from society, and closer to those who they "hang out" with. When they go through these changes, they feel more like themselves, and less like the people their parents raised them to be. 

This can be harmful, though, because it can ruin relationships that they may have had with family members, and some of their friends. They might do something to themselves that they will later regret.;

Here's an example: from the time you were eight your mother told you not to curse because it is impolite, you enter high school, and want to appeal to those around you, what do you do? Do what your mother and their mothers told each of you not to do from the time you were eight. For some reason, people (not just kids) are attracted to these rebellious behaviors. So to "fit in," you almost certainly have to rebel against higher authorities. 

Changes in Different Age Groups

13-15 - At this point, it is necessary to allow children to experiment with who they are and opposition is expressed in order to gather power of self-determination. Children will learn less from having their parents yell at them constantly that they are making mistakes, and more by seeing the consequences of their mistakes unfold before their eyes. Parents should offer positive reinforcement and advice, to help their children figure out what the difference is between right and wrong.

15-18 - During these years, children often try to escape the title of "good child" to their parents. This is the point where children realize that graduation is coming, and begin to try to demonstrate that they don't need their parents anymore through the "art" of risk taking. This is a dangerous stage, because some children are arrogant, and may make decisions that can hurt them in the long run. So parents need to designate more independence to the child while, at the same time, expecting them to be responsible. They should provide calm and clean expectations about any risk taking the child may or may not be involved in.

18-23 - This is the stage where most young adults have  shaken off higher authority, yet some are still rebelling, this time against personal responsibility (themselves). They might know what is right, and decide not to do it anyway. This is usually the last stage of youthful rebellion, and becoming an adult.  Unfortunately, some people never grow out of this phase of life. 

   Now, I am going to tell you of someone who my parents went to high school with, who sadly didn't make it past the last phase of youthful rebellion. 

    In this sports Illustrated article, Greg Rowles is described as ". . .The type of guy who would shake up a room when he walked through the door." ". . .The center of attention, without ever trying to place himself there." "People rallied around him, they followed his lead." "He was known for his sarcastic humor and his boundless energy, and he had a one-liner for every occasion." "Among his friends, he was known as the funniest man in North America."

Greg was obviously well known, and well liked. He had everything going for him, until he decided to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking. (This is an example of knowing something is wrong, rebelling against yourself, and doing it any way). Greg's father felt dismayed and angry at the stupidity involved in his son's death, as were many of his close friends. 

Sources:

• Rebel with a Cause: Rebellion in Adolescence, Psychology Today, 2009, Carl E. Pickhardt, PhD
• Memorial Field, Sports Illustrated, 1991, J. D. Morris

Source for All Images: [Image Source: pixabay.com, License: CCO Public Domain] 

Thanks for reading this! It took a while to write, but I have been meaning to touch on this topic for months. I (my dad) finally figured out how to put words next to images in HTML, so yay! Let me know your opinions on this article, and please remember that not every person who does the things I used as examples on this list are going through a state of rebellion, some are, and some feel that these changes help them to be happier in life. Please remember to check back later!

Also remember to check for: My weekly 7 post, [Something else will eventually go into this space]!