School Life :))

Teenagers, children, and even adults all need someone their own age to share common experiences with. As a teenager, another teenager is going through many of the same experiences. If something is happening in the teenager's life, sometimes they need someone their own age to confide in. Also, when they need to be away from home, at college, in a job, or whatever, they need to be able to rely on the people who are around them, which would most likely be their peers. Strong relationships are important to all people, and although strong relationships can and should develop with people older and younger than us (that is why the world is full of all ages of people, not just one age only), the fact is that we do need to have strong relationships with those of our own age, too. Teenagers are at an age where they are trying to develop their own sense of identity. Sometimes a teen may feel more comfortable in the school setting with these learning expereinces and changes, as well as the activities offered are more condusive to this. (and of course this is where teenagers have to excercise the most judgement). Teenagers are trying to see where they fit in, for opinions, career goals, which they will be. They are expanding their horizons and may be a little difficult to do this in the same home environment that they have been used to for many years. Due to the fact that teens will in the near future need to be more independent and finally make a way for themselves on their own, they are learning to do things away from their familiar surroundings, and make decisions on their own. Going to college or moving when they are a little older is a great change. Perhaps distancing is experienced incrementally, as more time spent at school or with friends, and then growing to the more difficult time actually away from family for longer periods. For the most part, teens are just "social beings", and without the interchange with other teens, the social development that normally occurs, might tend to suffer. Teens are attempting to find a life-mate and you cannot do this very well if you do not have contact with other people. Decision-making abilities develop when you have the opportunity to experience things that require this. It is a trial and error experience that must be developed and also requires the confidence from making some decisions of your own.