THE TEENAGE GIRL AND HER GLORIOUS FUTURE BY DR. (MRS.) OMOLADE F. O. AKPA
THE CONCEPT OF TEENAGE AND TEENAGE GIRL
A teenager, or teen, is a young person whose age falls within the range from 13-18. They are called teenagers because their age number ends with “teen”. When a teenager turns 19 they are still a teenager, in addition to being a full legal adult.
Usage by ordinary people varies, and also varies in different societies. Most societies traditionally had a formal ceremony to mark the change from childhood to adulthood. During puberty, rapid mental and physical development occurs. Adolescence is the name for this transition period from childhood to adulthood.
A teenage girl therefore is a girl between the ages of 13 – 18.
CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES OF THE TEENAGE GIRL
- Appearance
This probably features as the number one problem on every teenage girl’s problem list. This is the time when your body is constantly changing and you have to cope with it. To top it, you keep seeing and hearing about these figure-perfect bodies.
- Education
This creates immense pressure on your you and leads to stress and undue pressure.
- Dating
Teenage already comes with a lot of problems and challenges. The sudden increased flow of sex hormones inside the body makes it even worse. Also, this is an extremely confusing time for you, in terms of precautions, safe sex and how much involvement is okay and by choice.
- Bullying
Bullying is one of the issues which bothers teenagers alot. This starts affecting their personality and behavior. You might also feel depressed and react strangely by keeping to herself.
- Friendship
Teenage makes every relation seem complex. Even the beautiful bond of friendship often meets shaky grounds. This is because as a teenager, you develop social skills.
- Self-Esteem
Teenage girls have this habit of comparing themselves, their body and their appearance to other girls of their age. This unconsciously creates a pressure on them. The changes in your teenage girl’s body might make her doubt herself. She might get extremely conscious about everything she does, wears or even talks about. This might adversely affect her self-esteem.
- Peer Pressure
Peer pressure forces teenage girls to behave a certain way that gives them a sense of belongingness. By giving into peer pressure they feel one with their peers. This even leads them to take up habits that they otherwise aren’t supposed to or are interested in.
- Substance Use
This is a major problem that most teenagers, girls and boys, face across the world today. In most cases, peer pressure introduces teenage girls to this dangerous habit. Teenage girls retort to substance use to ease their stress, feel secure and assured from within.
- Menstruation
This is the time you will enter your menstruation phase for the first time. You might develop a lot of misconceptions and queries too in regard to your menstruation cycle.
- Depression
Teenage girls can get affected by any random thing. When things don’t go their way, or when they don’t meet the standards that their peers have maintained, they feel pressurized and go into depression. Low grades, break ups, high parental expectations, weight gain, substance use, these are some of the many factors that trigger depression and are the major teen girl issues.
Depression is the most common mental health problem faced by teenagers which may sometimes lead to suicide. Teenagers can’t differentiate sadness and depression. Many factors can lead to depression and the reaction of each teen is different to such things.
Symptoms of major depression in teenagers
- Teenage sleep problems
- Behavioral changes
- Careless about physical safety
- Disturbed mental health
- Frequent health issues like headache
- Preoccupation with death and suicide
- Giving warning hints such as “I won’t be a problem for you much longer”
- Prolonged sad or angry mood
- Suddenly clearing out belongings and getting them in order
- Becoming suddenly cheerful without reason after being depressed
- Teenage pregnancy problems
- Pressure for Sex
Teens and preteens are under tremendous pressure to experiment with sex. Researchers draw a direct link between teenage sexual activity, depression, and an increased risk of attempted suicide. Sexually active girls are more than three times more likely to be depressed than are girls who are not sexually active.
- Fragmented Families
Whether children are living with one or two parents, many feel alienated from their parents at the very times they need them most.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR A GLORIOUS FUTURE
- Always be yourself
Being yourself makes you more comfortable and builds confidence in your heart and soul. Don’t forget to always be yourself.
- Do your best in school
School sets you up on the right track! No matter how boring it is now, education will help you be a productive member in society. Strive for excellence in school; try your best, listen to the teachers, do your homework, study, and get good grades. Doing so will help you get into a better college/university, which will enable you to get a great job in the future.
- Be aware before doing anything new
Many people regret for the terrible mistakes they have done but at once it was what they exactly wanted. So, always be aware before doing anything new to yourself.
- Do what you love
Do experiment and discover new things. Adopt a hobby; reading, writing, sewing, singing, dancing, playing a sport, making pottery, etc. It will pass time and help you develop your personality.
- Never take drugs
Keep in mind; No drugs ever, they lead towards death. People who have tried them are now dead such as Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston and many other. If you can avoid these things during your teen years, they’re a lot easier to avoid once you’re out of high school and away from peer pressure.
- Draw your future
Life is full of amazing things to do and learn about. Start from one single step to reach your goal. Start thinking about careers you would like to be in, but make a good choice based on your interests and strengths. This could be your job for the rest of your life!
- Love life and pray
You’re young only for a short time, and before you know it you’ll be an adult that will be lying around saying, “I wish I had done this when I was younger.” Be daring, go out into the world and live life. You get the opportunity to enjoy life only once. God is always watching you!
- Choose your friends wisely
Never hang out with someone who doesn’t make you feel comfortable. Be with people who make you happy, and ditch the ones who don’t. Create a group of supportive, loving friends that can help you succeed in life and live your dreams.
- Be active
Join a sports team at school or out of school. Go for a run around your neighbourhood. Join a yoga group, go swimming at the local recreation centre, do sit-ups during commercial breaks on TV – anything! Just exercise! It helps you feel better, mentally and physically.
- Be Proactive
Being proactive is the key to unlocking the other habits. Proactive people understand that they are responsible for their own happiness or unhappiness. They don’t blame others for their own actions or feelings.
DRESSING FOR A GLORIOUS FUTURE
There are five (5) main dresses a woman should wear in her lifetime.
These are:
- School uniform
- Matriculation gown
- Graduation gown
- Wedding gown
- Maternity dress
..Let our daughters know;
That if any girl skips the 2nd dress, she will not get to wear the 3rd one.
..daughters must not rush to wear the 5th dress just because a man has promised them the 4th..
…More so, the 4th one fits better and more prestigious if worn
before the 5th dress.
They all and individually must learn to wait and follow the dress from 1 to 5.
