Chris Virostek

Miss Thomson

AP Language and Composition

20 January 2017

Teenagers: Changing the Standard for Society

Change is the definition of planet earth and its history. It has been both a positive and

negative influence, but has created and continues to create a diverse world. The planet is much

different today from 1000 years ago, 100 years ago, and even 10 years ago. Human beings are

especially unique in the sense that they have the ability to shape the world, including their fellow

peers in significant ways. No other species has the power and potential to make such a vital

impact. Each generation has its own opportunity to contribute to this advancement of the human

race. However, this advancement can be hampered beginning with the youth of America. Today

in America, many people, especially young adolescents, are enslaved to low expectations, which

prevent them from reaching their full potential and making a significant impact on society.

Altering such expectations allows youths to live up to their potential and make a substantial

impact on society.

In many circumstances, the word teenager, carries a negative connotation, as a

multitude of teens in todays society can be characterized as lazy, self-centered, and troublesome.

However, the word teenager has not always been used, Prior to the early twentieth century and,

really, throughout history, people were either children or adults (Harris 30). Therefore, children

took on the role and responsibility of adulthood at an earlier age, and were completing

challenging tasks well in advance of adulthood. Take George Washington for example, who
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applied himself to his studies [and] at seventeen years old, George had the chance to put his

studies to use at his first job [surveyor] (Harris 31). Thus, the things that Washington

accomplished during his teenage years molded him into a man, and this experience launched him

into an early, successful adulthood; where he lead the First Continental Army in the American

Revolution and became the first president of the United States. During this time period, times

were tougher, which translated to higher expectations for young adolescents. Today, the so called

teenage years have become an awkward period of time between childhood and adulthood,

where the same lofty expectations have diminished. Even though this appears harmless, such low

expectations are impeding the progress and evolution of young adolescents and the world that

they aspire to change. Something must be done.

The first step for any type of any transformation is a conversion of heart or what is

within. It is almost impossible to take on any milestone without the proper attitude and mindset.

The notion, I cant is a lie and a falsehood that has prevented billions of hopes and dreams from

becoming reality. The challenges in life can be daunting, but not unachievable for anyone: He

who says he can, and he who says he cant are both usually right (Confucius). Todays society

often succeeds in holding people back from their hopes, aspirations, and dreams through weak

and tired excuses. For teenagers, age is often an excuse to not accomplish tremendous feats- the

things that God intends his servants to do. However, a more positive mindset is not just possible,

but it is absolutely essential, especially for teenagers, whose brains go through significant growth

and are influenced by society. As Sandra Bond Chapman, founder and Chief Director of Center

for Brain Health at the University of Texas, states,

The brain undergoes more change during the teenage years than any other time except for
the first two months of life. The changes are most dramatic in the frontal lobe networks, the
brains command control center. The frontal lobe networks are responsible for reasoning,
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planning, decision-making, judgment, inhibiting bad choices, and other high-level cognitive
functions. Providing necessary challenges to support development of the frontal lobe networks is
key to your teens ability to achieve future life success. (Chapman)
As a result, the teenage years of mind formation are critical for a young persons future.

These teenage years should be used to prepare teens for what lies ahead in adulthood, and prove

that they can do tremendous things to propel the world in a new and better direction. It all starts

internally with attitude and then translates into action- stepping out of comfort zones.

Even though change is a prevalent theme throughout history, people are often resistant

and fear change. People become complacent and satisfied with certain habits, and oppose any

sort of modification to them. However, stepping out of comfort zones tests ones character and

will. It is one of the most difficult things for people to do, yet going beyond ones comfort level

often allows an individual to display their potential in a light that that they might have never seen

before- potential that is boundless. The sky is the limit, there is no boundary that teens cannot

reach. There are many examples of how teens today are branching out and placing themselves in

situations that may be uncomfortable, but result in a great success. Laurie Stach, founder and

director of MIT Launch (a summer entrepreneurship program for high school students), gives her

opinion on the tremendous potential of teenager,

A confluence of factorsthe pace of technological change, the ever-lowering barriers to

entry of starting a company, and the natural curiosity and boundary-pushing mindset inherent to
teenagersmean that todays high school students have the potential to create world-changing
businesses, according to Stach. (Martin Trust Center)
Failure is sometimes inevitable, but it should never prevent anyone from realizing their

full potential. Doing something that challenges you gives you a whole different outlook and

makes you more receptive to change (Lombardo). Therefore, it is best when teens take the bold

step out into places that they have never been before, which leads to the reaping of satisfactory

rewards.
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Lastly, the movement of setting a higher standard for teenagers is a change that is vital

for the future of the world. Teens have the potential to do incredible things, which starts with the

little things that occur over a period of time, Greatness is a lot of small things done well

(Lewis). For example, providing supplies to a food shelter once a year may not have a substantial

impact, but providing supplies every week or month will have such an impact. Similarly, this

concept is used with physical fitness. Lifting weights or running every once in a while may not

change body composition, but changing exercises and doing them daily often has noticeable,

beneficial results. The idea of a growing movement that touts changing and raising the standards

for teenagers is no easy task; it is time and effort on a consistent basis. Change calls upon those

who are bold and are searching for a new sense of direction, with goals and dreams to pursue.

One of the greatest enemies of young teens and healthy change is conformity, where peoples

actions reflect the opinions of those who they are trying to align with (Grayson). This trait often

has students want to have a sense of belonging and identity. Even though this can fade away,

many teens conform to the statutes of society, which can weaken their independent identity and

character, putting their future at stake, The pressure to conform doesn't end with the teen years,

but people developing a sense of self during these years feel more conformable with themselves

and have greater stability as adults (Grayson). The greatest danger of conformity is that it can be

closely associated with peer pressure, which often leads individuals into trouble. By daring to

change and raising expectations, teens are not only reaching their full potential and overcoming

major obstacles, but they are also discovering more about themselves: who they are and what

their goals are. This strengthens individuals and diminishes the idea of conformity among them

because they are confident in who they are and what they can do.
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In conclusion, teenagers today are generally looked down upon for some of their negative

attributes that were established by societys low expectations. However, the teenage years should

be viewed as prime years for growth, and firm establishment of identity. For such a defined age

group, potential to accomplish unbelievable feats is boundless. Therefore, people must realize

that time is a priceless commodity and squandering ones teenage years is a dire error. Once

society learns to change from within (their attitudes, mindset, spirit), they are able to take the

first steps out of their comfort zones, beginning to change the world gradually. This revolution in

attitude towards teenage expectations does not always occur in drastic actions, but in minute

actions day in and day out. In the words of the famous Michael Jackson, If you want to make

the world a better place, take a look at yourself, and then make that change. (Jackson).
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Works Cited

Chapman, Sandra Bond. Parents & Teachers: 6 Ways to Inspire the Teen Brain. Psychology

Today. Sandra Bond Chapman, 05 Aug. 2013. Web 16 Jan. 2017.

<https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/make-your-brain-smarter/201308/parents-teachers-6-

ways-inspire-the-teen-brain>.

Grayson, Lee. Conformity in Teenagers. LIVESTRONG.COM. Leaf Group, 18 Feb. 2015.

Web. 17 Jan. 2017. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/559761-conformity-in-

teenagers/>.

Harris, Alex, and Brett Harris. Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion against Low Expectations.

Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah, 2008. Print.

Michael Jackson- Man In The Mirror. Perf. Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson- Man in the

Mirror. michaeljacksonVEVO, 02 Oct. 2009. Web. 4 Jan. 2017.

<https://youtu.be/PivWY9wn5ps>.

Stach, Laurie. MIT Launch- Unleashing the Power and Potential of Teenage Entrepreneurs.

The Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. Martin Trust Center, 01 Aug. 2016.

Web. 14 Jan. 2017. <http://entrepreneurship.mit.edu/unleashing-the-power-and-potential-

of-teenage-entrepreneurs/>.

Walk As a King. Perf. Ray Lewis. Youtube. BreakTheMoldToday, 5 May 2011. Web. 15 Jan.

2017. <https://youtu.be/Cn6m2DpQpQA>.
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Why Do We Fall. Mateusz M, 21 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Jan. 2017.

<https://youtu.be/mgmVOuLgFB0>.