We all have to grow up eventually. And there will always be a period in our life when we want to grow up, and when we don’t.
It can be a truly stressful period when you feel as though you have to become an adult. For teens especially, you can sometimes get the sense you’ve been thrown into a world that can be quite overwhelming at times. Parents, teachers, other family members or close family friends tend to put pressures on us in regard to responsibilities and maturity.
Yet, teenagers are not the only ones who have the pressure to mature looming over them. With social media and the ongoing standards as well as expectations put on preteens, not to mention their raging hormones, it’s no wonder they’re always trying to act older than they are. They’re trying to fit in.
Hanging out with older kids can mean nearly everything to a preteen. How we influence them can mean everything, too.
Sometimes we don’t really think about it, but kids pay close attention; it’s “monkey see, monkey do.”
We see young kids constantly trying to act older and be mature, and although it’s quite natural, we can’t let it become toxic; kids don’t need to start criticizing their bodies at such a young age or dress a certain way to please people, or even feel the need to wear makeup.
The way we talk and behave around kids can make a great impact on them. Preteens are at a crucial stage in their development; that’s not to say the same thing doesn’t go for teens, but as young and impressionable people, we need the right support if we want to go far.
That doesn’t mean we need to treat them as if they need to be bubble-wrapped and hidden away from our reality. It’s the exact opposite actually. We as kids need to be treated fairly; all we want is to be included in the “adult” conversations.
Becoming an adult is terrifying, and although it’s necessary to mature in some aspects of life, we shouldn’t have a feeling of panic over it or immediacy.
We have time to be kids and enjoy our freedom from life’s responsibilities. We’re all learning and shouldn’t feel the need to rush maturity.
Macy How is a grade 11 student at Brooks Secondary School.
