[1]

GraffitiGraffiti can be viewed as the very symbol of teenage rebellion. It signifies resistance, disregard, and otherwise lack of caring towards society.

REBELLIONJune 2010

A USER’S GUIDE TO TEENAGE REBELLION“Many a man wishes he were strong enough to tear a telephone book in half - especially if that man has a teen-age daughter.” -Guy Lombardo

RE·BEL·LION   –noun

1. Open, organized, and armed

resistance to one's government or

ruler.

2. The act of rebelling.

3. Resistance to or defiance of any

authority, control, or tradition.

Along with driving, drinking, and

the first job, rebellion has been an

integral part of the growing-up

process since the dawn of mankind.

Sometimes, it usually manifests itself

as periods of moodiness and

depression, but it can also show up as

full-scale defiance of parental units,

running away, and delinquency. So,

what brings on this integral part of

growing up? Is it hormones?

Parenting styles? Just the realization

of how oppressive your parents are?

The contents of this book will show

you how you can prevent it, what

brings it on, how to lessen it’s impact,

and other information that may prove

useful during these crisis years.

[2]

Why do we do it?The exact cause of the teenager rebellion phase is not

entirely known. However, it is acceptable to assume that

the causes can be divided into two sides, or

categories. From the scientist community comes

the…...Science Side. This theory looks at the

hormone variants and brain chemical changes

that affect the areas of the brain that are

responsible for for compliance, obedience, and

submission. This theory postulates that we become

more sensitive to these chemicals in our teenage years.

On the other end of the spectrum is…. The Human Side.

This theory expresses that teen rebellion is caused by

parental laxity during childhood. It stresses how

early experiences can grow like a seed to turn

into a full-scale teenage rebellion in later years.

Although they seem like two entirely different

arguments, it is generally believed that neither is

truly correct, that the true cause of teen rebellion

is a combination of the two.

Where?Teen Rebellion occurs everywhere around the globe, but the most prolific stew-pot of it is in high schools. Because of peer pressure, teen rebellion is magnified hugely in these institutions.

TEENAGER FACTS ALCOHOL UNDERAGE WEED BABIES

The highest rate of binge drinking occurs in rural areas, such as universities. Surprise!

85% of adults in today’s world admit to underage drinking

1 in 7 Grade 10 students admit to being regular marijuana users.

750000 teens between 15 and 19 become pregnant every year.

Science vs Humanity

[3]

The Science Side:

The most concrete, the most sure

factor that influences teen rebellion is

the influx of hormones that trigger this

stage. From the first time we are

breastfed, we become pals with a

brain chemical called Dopamine.

Produced in the Adrenal Cortex,

located on top of our kidneys, it is

released when we engage in risks,

pleasurable activities, and other things

that make us happy. However, our

sensitivity to the chemical peaks in our

teen years. During the beginning of

the teen rebellion phase, we begin to

push against parental restraint, and

this releases this chemical due to the

excitement of defying the people

you’ve had to respect for the last 15

years. However, once you’ve had a

taste of Dopamine, there’s no going

back. As we grow older, into the

17-18 year-old phase, we begin to

develop a resistance to dopamine,

which causes us to seek it out in

greater amounts to get the same

“natural high”. Unfortunately for our

parents/guardians, this means we

need to participate in more high-risk

activities, such as street racing and

sneaking out after curfew.

SCIENCE SIDE

Anatomy of Rebellion The top image shows the chemical structure of Dopamine, the main hormone responsible for rebellion. It is secreted in the Adrenal gland, located on the Kidney. It is shown in the image in the middle.

Diagram of a Teenage Brain

[4]

The Human Side

No matter the hormone

concentrations per unit of blood in a

teen, rebellion can always be reduced

by the right parenting style. If parents

are more oppressive of their children

when they are young, they tend to

have more violent lashings-out as

teenagers. However, this is not a

concrete statement. Some children

who are highly controlled grow up to

be meek and quiet, and never bother

anybody, least of all their parents.

However, there is another side to

this issue. If a child is spoiled when

they are little, as which happens with

many an only child, they may have a

worse rebellion phase than the

oppressed child. Early on, when the

brain is still impressionable, some

parents let their children have

whatever they want. This results in the

teenagers thinking that whatever the

want is okay for them to do. So, if

they want to steal their parent’s

alcohol and drink at a friend's house,

their brain tells them it’s okay to do

that due to all the years of indulgence.

Of the two, this parenting style tends

to have the worst effects. The best

practice is to find an area in the

middle, not being to constraining, but

still firm yet supportive. If this balance

is found, rebellion can be quashed

before it even starts.

What NOT to do When you start raising a family, here are some general guidelines of what to and not to do with your baby.

HUMAN SIDE

Bad Parents (constraining)

[5]

Erik Erikson-Identity vs. Identity Confusion

Teen rebellion occurs primarily in

the adolescence to the beginning of

the early adulthood stage. Erik

Erikson’s stage of Identity vs. Identity

Confusion is the most prevalent during

these years. These are the years in

which we develop a version of

ourselves that is separate from our

parents. So, we are testing the true

limits of our parent’s personalities to

aid us in our quest. Furthermore, the

confusion during this time is a factor

that can aggravate teen rebellion,

prompting the famous “you don’t

understand what I’m going through”

line. During this time, many new roles

are presented to us, and the dopamine

receptors dictate that we must try

everything, no matter the risk to

ourselves or others. However, as we

try on these new roles, we give off the

impression that we are purposely

doing anything we want, while really

we are trying to figure out who we are.

If a parent pushes an identity upon us,

we can be pushed into identity

confusion. This can only make things

worse , though, because we seek out

even more opportunities for new roles

to make up for the confusion.

ERIK ERIKSON

Who Was He? Born in 1902, Erikson grew up to be one of the most famous psychoanalysts of all time. Although he lacked a university degree, his theories of development are still widely used and accepted today.

Male suada Quis  Dolor Set Ipsum

[6]

Dealing with it

So, you’ve successfully navigated the treacherous

ground of teenager-hood, you’ve grown up, married,

and had kids. However, you learned nothing

from this magazine and they turn into the lanky

hellion that you once were. What should you

do?

1. DON”T confront them. It only gives

them the opportunity to test their strength

against yours.

2. DO have a rational discussion. It can only help.

3. DO pick your battles. Decide what’s really worth

fighting over.

4. DON”T lose your patience. This lets them know

they’ve won, which sets the ground more even

worse future conflicts.

5. DON”T give in. Tis makes it seem as though

you’re weak.

6.DO wait it out. In short, this is the only surefire

cure for the rebellious teen.

Modern FamilyIn the Dunphy’s family, the elder teenage daughter is fully into the rebellion phase. Much of the show revolves around the parents trying to resolves the crisis that she produces.

What to Do?

THE BACK PAGE