Why Be Adolescent :: essays research papers

Why be Adolescent? I believe that I have caught on to the biggest scam in the history of the world. No I'm not talking about long distance phone companies, or CD clubs, or even public school. I'm talking about adolescence. Adolescence is the stage between 13, and the early adult, and late teen years. Adolescence is only found in 1st world countries that are descending from England in some way. The reason for that, I believe, is that a long time ago before the existence of America, Canada, or Australia, European countries were thought to be the most advanced, and proper. In almost all aspects of life there, things were ranked in a hierarchy system. They ranked their government system to have different levels of importance; their social status was ranked, church system, police, and finally age. The age hierarchy was not very complex. If you were older than somebody, than of course you were that much closer than the top, unless they had a higher general social status than you. With the branching of Europe, the European ways would follow. Observe the affect adolescence has on North America. Children are treated with extra care until about 13 or 14. Then the stage of adolescence starts. You are given responsibility. Nothing big, but just things like chores, and more time out. The intention of these is good, but it is all part of the plan to make the child ready to be an adult when they're 18. In many cases the child is not used to the responsibility until well after 18, because the change is so dramatic. This could be one the reasons that we have so many young criminals, ages 13-25. In many Asian, and African countries, which are not completely influenced by European culture, adolescence simply does not exist. They are not so worried about spanning the time of giving responsibility, but actually give it a little too soon if anything at all. A lot of the people in these countries don't have a lot of money, so they need the help from their offspring as soon as they can get it. In the extreme, a 14-year-old boy could be working to support his family with a jog for 1.25 an hour with a large American sports clothing line. This can't be good no matter how you look at it, but on the other hand, a boy who learns responsibility at the age of 13, by working for a relative or neighbor, doing physical labor can be very beneficial. The boy is not overwhelmed with the weight of his family's well being on his