History of teenagers continued - 21st Century

Since the 1950's teenagers have changed dramatically. Much of the public’s critique of teens revolves around parents’ perceived inability to be involved with their children and teach them the right values. Teens seem vulnerable to strong external forces: drugs, alcohol, violence, sex, and the media.  Without the right values to immunize them from negative influences, teens could fall victim to these pressures. The biggest stresses most of them feel are the pressures to do well in school and get into college. Too many teens are engaged in dangerous behavior: close to half of 15-17 year olds have had sex; one-fifth see drugs, alcohol and teen pregnancy as a very serious problem for their close circle of friends.

Adults have questioned teens’ values for generations. For example, in 1989, adults 

were asked to compare the youth of the 1980s to teenagers twenty years prior, and adults 

responded that “today’s youth” were much more selfish, materialistic, and reckless than a 

generation before.  

I will use this research to help build the personalities of my characters and the way that they act and speak to each other.