Teenagers and split personalities are not two things that we like to group together. Split personalities? Who, us? No, no, no, you must be mistaken. You see, teenagers act the same way for everyone! We tell it like it is!
That, my friends, is not a very well-researched or well-supported statement, and yet I continue to hear variations of it in the hallway every single day.
However, the split personalities to which my fellow students are referring are their ever changing circle of friends and the backstabbing art of being a “two-faced teenager.” This has been occurring since the start of 6th grade and, I’m sorry to say, won’t stop until you are all sensible adults. Let me also take the time to tell you that not all grown-ups are sensible. This presents a dilemma and ultimately means, in fewer words, that two-faced drama will never go away. We just get more crafty at it.
That is the most obvious instance of split personalities. The one I will talk about from this point on is more hidden and easily denied. And yet, more people participate in this act than the previously mention. Whether we consciously know when we are doing it or not, this split of our personalities happens early on in life. I would say, around the point when we start conversing with our parents.
Around your friends, you are most at ease. You can laugh, smile, and speak about whatever is on your mind and not worry about who hears. You act like yourself because you are surrounded by the people that choose to love you for who you are.
At home, your personality becomes diluted, no matter how close you are with your family. It may be harder to relate to them, you may have a different sense of humor, etc. They’re not with you every day in school and don’t share the same experiences.
Think about it. Do you tell the same jokes at home as at school? Do you say the same things or act in the same way? The answer will usually be “no.”
If this is the case, then how well do your parents really know you? Sometimes parents know the kid that they wish you were, sometimes they don’t fully understand the extent of your greatness. I have heard numerous stories of children blaming their parents for not understanding them, but how can they understand when you don’t let them see the real you?
Below are a few scenarios that seem to play out quite often, but even we don’t like to admit what we mean.
“Mom! Billy was just about to ask me out, I can’t believe that you came up to us like that.”
“I’m sorry, honey, I-”
“You don’t understand me!”
“Sweetie, Billy wasn’t asking you out. He was trying to tell you that you had toilet paper stuck to your shoe. Trust me, the same thing happened to me with Eric Smith...”
“I can’t believe that you were brought home by the police.”
“You don’t understand me!”
“Actually, I do. I would just care not to tell you about that one incident in 10th grade involving trampolines, strobe lights, and the state coppers.”
“You don’t understand me!”
“Sure I do, the same thing-”
“Mom, be quiet. I get that you went through the same things. But I don’t have time for your lecture, and I don’t want to get in trouble by telling you that.”
So, sure. Next time, slam your door, yell out, “You don’t understand me!” and take out your frustration on your parents. But is it really their fault... or your own? And what are you really saying?
Posts
