While the findings in these articles does not surprise me, it does sadden me. Kids want so badly to fit in and be liked that they will go to extreme lengths to fit in and appear mature which thus makes them lose in the long run. I don’t understand how they can think that drinking, doing drugs, participating in illegal activities or engaging in sexual relationships will do them any good. They are learning about the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs to their system yet they deem it “cool” and necessary for their status to grow. Participating in illegal activities does not sound like a good time to me, how does possibly going to jail or being charged and have that on your record for the rest of your life, sound like a good idea? Being in a relationship with the opposite sex where you explore your sexual nature at such a young age, just sounds like a recipe for disaster.I grew up being taught that you don’t enter into a relationship like that unless you are looking to get married. Growing up I was never a cool or popular kid, far from it actually. I never had any desire to fit in with the popular crowd, I saw them as being extremely immature and very stupid. I saw the way they acted and did not like it at all. They were very judgmental of those around them, they were in general not very nice people to the majority of their peers as well as those in authority over them.
I can’t say that I have a specific memory of one person who at an early age tried to be “cool”. For Junior high I went to a small school that required a lottery just to get into. The kids that attended there, tended to be from families who are more involved in their kids life and teaching them right from wrong. I did go to a regular high school and I did hear the stories of the party that happened that weekend and who did it with who, and how drunk they were, but I am friends with none of them so I can’t say how they turned out. The only person that I can think of that is having difficulties now in life had something very horrific happen to them at a young age that triggered their downward spiral in life. But I know now that he is trying to put his life back together as best as he can. I can see that since more and more people are exploring their “cool” side at young ages that crime rates and divorce rates have risen. In the news more and more people are doing crazier and crazier things, all for what? To get noticed, to fit in with a certain crowd, to have your moment of fame?
It is certainly sad to see kids wanting to be liked, to be cool so much so that later in life they no longer fit in with what society deems mature, responsible, hard working citizens. They try so hard that they end up doing more harm to themselves and those around them than any good in the long run.