The causes of adolescent rebellion

“I hate you! You’re ruining my life!” This is a phrase that we teenagers have said a lot of times. Teenagers are known to be the rebellious part of society. They feel that to grow up, they have to stand up for themselves and be counted. Teenagers do this by rebelling and protesting. They want their opinion to be heard.

Although sometimes only rebellion can get you noticed, some people have got the wrong end of the stick. You don’t need to turn the world upside down to be counted. Being grown-up means being able to make mature decisions through experience and counsel. It means that you take into account your surroundings and not do the exact opposite of what society and authorities tell you. The rebellious teenagers do this their own way. They just want to change the world before it changes them and makes them responsible citizens. As Italian singer, Marco Masini, once said “Ero uno di quei figli sognatori adoloscenti che non vogliano consiglio e rispondono fra i denti”. He was one of those adolescent dreamers who did not want counsel.

There are lots of forms of rebellion. The minor ones are tattooing, piercings and strange clothing. Some people make a statement and try to get attention by dyeing their hair some bright colour or by piercings all over their body.

Some also wear very bright colours or go to the other extreme, wearing just black. Others feel that they need to make a maximum impact and they do this by going to extremes like consuming drugs, smoking or by drinking too much alcohol.

Other teenagers feel that thinking with your mind makes more impact than just material things that fade away. These kind of people have nothing to lose, so they organise protests, make slogans and try to change the world through reason.

These protests are messages that are being sent to the authorities and to society, which involves you only if you conform to its unwritten rules. If you don’t toe the line, you’re out. Some people actually want this, as they think that, by being the odd ones out, they will be heard more and make more of a difference. These are in the minority but they still get their voices heard. Feminists protested for equal right, but vandals want to show their opinion where it counts. These are just rebels without a cause. They don’t just rock the boat; they set it on fire and dance on the burning deck!

Some teenagers feel that they show who they are by being different, but in reality, being different and standing out takes a lot of courage. To be a true rebel, one does not conform to society’s rules. On the other hand, society should channel these rebels’ ideas and energy into something more positive and meaningful. After all, “Siamo tutti conformisti, trasvestiti da ribelli” (Marco Masini). We are all conformists pretending to be rebels!