Why is it when a teenager turns a teenager they ebcome rebeliious, or like to challenge authority?

Question

Why is it when a teenager turns a teenager they become rebellious, or like to challenge authority? It seems as though their brain goes haywire once they turn 13 yrs. old on until they become adults

Answer 1

Teens are in the process of growing up and are in the process of becoming more and more independent from their parents (mainly) and other authority figures (also). I don't think that it happens for the first time when they're a teen, although it may seem like it does to many. Think of toddlers...they learn that they are independent beings from mom and dad and learn that they can say "no" and express other independent ideas. The process begins at an early age, but perhaps appears most intensely during the teen years. They are testing their boundaries further in more complex ways and learning more advanced lessons in independence and responsibility through trial and error. The extent to which a particular teen may push the limit, challenge the boundaries, or rebel against authority is dependent upon the individual. Each has his/her own set of experiences (including relationships with family and friends), personality, values, beliefs, etc. which influence their choices and direction. Teens are able to be more independent than toddlers or other young children, so the efforts toward independence and demands they have are often not as simple as those of a younger child. A kindergartener may challenge bedtime or whether to eat his/her broccoli, but a teen may challenge curfew or whether or not to be allowed to go to a certain party, etc. Teens are dealing with issues much further along the maturity scale. :o) It's a natural process, although it's often difficult for parents and teens alike. Fortunately, parents and other authorities are available to continue to give guidance and advice even though it may not always be appreciated at the time. There are definitely a lot of variables that can affect the rate and success of this transition to independence, but most of us manage to get through it. :o)

I remember being a young teen and realizing that I wasn't a child and wasn't an adult. It wasn't an easy place to be. Thanks to my mom and dad for seeing me through that hard age.

Answer 2

This phenomenon has been known for years and it is the reason why every major psychological theory proposes that adolescence is the third major stage in which people try to establish their own identities. They appear rebellious because adults have less control over the near adult they face and the adolescent has more opportunity to establish a more independent existence.
First, adolescents are trying to distinguish themselves from their parents. They want to appear to others as independent thinkers as oposed to being extensions of their parents or carbon copies.
The second thing to consider is that just a little over a hundred years ago, and maybe less, "children" aged 13 and 14 were expected to learn a trade and go out and work. The IDEA of universal education came at the end of the 1800s; some children were still working, contributing to their family's income, and starting their lives around 14 to 16 years of age at the turn of the 20th century. The extension of the average age of schooling has been climbing throughout the 20th century such that some experts believe the age of emotional and cognitive "maturity" in our culture has become the mid-20s.
These two factors have greatly contributed to our present problems in addition to many other cultural changes. Well, I could say more, but I think you get the drift.

Answer 3

i dont think that they go haywire. i think that alot of teens dont get enough credit for how sophisticated. many of them now have adult brains trapped in an adolescent body and older people put rules on them that limit them as if they were children. This isn't a problem for younger children but imagine if someone told you that you couldnt go out with your friends, you had to spend time doing certian things, and you had to go somewhere for eight hours a day five days a week that you hated (and i'm not talking about a job, at least you have the choice to switch to a different job if you hate it THAT much)? It also that they feel like they have no choice because teens are not heard (its always cracked up to hormones which is infuriating if you have something you're trying to say) so the only way they get noticed is to rebell.

Answer 4

Erik Erikson defined this period as the time when the identity crisis occurs. The teenager is trying to find out what aspects of themselves are really theirs or just what they've garnered from their parents. This is a very difficult time of life. If the crisis is not resolved, the child could be "little mes" of their parents or get in a rut of constantly looking for themselves (those people who never seem to grow up). Without resolving the crisis, the teenager cannot move to the next stage which is young adulthood and intimacy.

Answer 5

Because just like when we were kids we went exploring new things, and sticking everything into our mouth. Now as teenagers it's the same thing. But teenagers seem to want to explore different views on life, they are now influenced by friends, new experiences, and they don't want to involve their parents, because they know if they miss up they are going to get in trouble.
But we as parents sometimes forget that we were in their position not too long ago. But with work and with the stress of life. We tend to forget the mistakes we made in life. We should try to understand the mistakes they made and remember that they are not to different from the ones we made at their age.

Answer 6

Don't you remember when...? LOL
When you were no longer a "kid"...now you're a "young adult"...just starting, or next year heading for, the High School...only 3 or 4 yrs till drive time...hormones are nuts!...girls/boys are looking very different these days...peer pressure's on in a BIG way...classes are sooo much harder--projects sooo much more intense...expectations are being piled upon you...you're constantly being reminded of your age, & how "you better start thinking about what you want out of your life!"...rules upon rules...is fun allowed anymore???...Why is it ok to work on a book report till 11 pm, but not be at a pool party till then???...What happened to common sense???...Why are parents sooo old all of a sudden--and grouchy, too??? What is going on with my body--the hair everywhere...the head in my pants is awfully loud these days & it's neck is sooo out of control!...Why do I need a bra??? UGH!!! And do I have to go through this monthly thing forever??? What's "first base"? I'm sooo in love!!!...

Oh, those wonderful teen years!!! LOL

Answer 7

I think most adolescents get the idea, "*That* will never happen to me" since they finished their childhood and they have strong urges to do other important adulty stuff. However, since the adults went through it, they would tell teens that they're wrong and being irresponsible and what they're thinking might not turn out the way they want it to be. I guess teens are pretty naive...innocent with the world.

Answer 8

Yes and they become the smartest people in the world and you suddenly become the most stupidest. I was always a smart-a** when my kids went through that. mocking them and what not. I would always say things like,"You can either stay home and do homework and wait for the weekend to go out, OR you can stay home tonight, do your homework and be grounded next weekend. It's YOUR choice" They hated that sort of smart*ss answers.

Answer 9

well you must give everything to any authority. thats total bs. hey authority is just someone givng them permission, like the law, which is just words. i wouldnt allow a cop to bust into my room without my consent.