Katrina Smith | Staff writer
It’s a fact, today’s teens are more stressed out and anxious than their parents were, and even more so than their grandparents were, according to the American Psychological Association. Tell any teenager that and they’ll probably nod in agreement. What people are more curious about is why.
“There’s a higher expectation of teens today. School’s harder and we’re expected to be perfect and not complain about it at all,” says Sam Everts, a General Studies senior.
School and education have always been an important aspect of life, but its importance has grown ever more prominent in recent years. Back when our parents were in high school, they were probably weighing their options, just like you, deciding if they should go to college or not. Back then, although college was a great option in solidifying a better future, it wasn’t a necessity. Teens could skip out on college and still get a good, steady job and lead a fairly wealthy life. That’s really not an option anymore. Everyone knows if you want to do well, it’s best you go to college, or maybe become a celebrity. Most people choose college; unfortunately college isn’t a cheap endeavor. The price of tuition has risen in years and continues to rise. There are some people that are able to afford the expenses of pursuing a higher education.
“For many others, postsecondary education would be out of the question without generous subsidies from the government, colleges and universities, or other sources,” says the College Board report on trends in student aid.
It’s already stressful enough figuring out what you want to do for the rest of your life, now include the added pressure of how you’re going to pay for the education to learn your profession.
Higher education is a major reason why so many teens are stressed out today, but it’s not the only reason. There has always been a focus on looks. Everywhere you go, looks matter. The pressure to be an attractive, well-dressed, and sociable member of society also plays a role in why students seem more worn out. That doesn’t mean your parents didn’t worry about being popular, but Americans have become more of a materialized society. There’s so much new technology out here, and having the latest phones and gadgets and fashion items is a driving force behind why so many teens do what they do.
Today’s teens may not have to live during the turbulent times of the ‘60s or the early ‘70s or the Great Depression, but with the pressures of college and other aspects of life weighing them down, they’re facing a war of their own.