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Growing up is hard to do
Peter Pan and his pack of Lost Boys were persistent about staying a kid as long as possible. However, this undying fear of growing up isn’t just in fairytales. Many teens today share this Peter Pan complex with their peers, resulting in gerascophobia – the fear of growing up.
Whether it’s emotionally or physically, growing up is hard on everyone. Sometimes teens are afraid of change. Teens know the transition from teenager to adulthood requires a lot of it. Gabrielle Provenzano, a junior at Chartiers-Houston High School, said, “Change can take you in every direction, positive or negative.”
Teens are always changing, but most of the time they don’t even realize it. These changes can occur in many different ways. Taste in music, favorite food and TV shows, even friends, come and go over time. As they mature, teens also change the way they think. Michael Large, a science teacher at Chartiers-Houston High School, said, “Peter Pan had the right idea. When you grow up, you grow old and your thinking narrows.”
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Being responsible and independent is also another concern for teens. A lot of young people don’t realize that in just a few short years they will be on their own. Getting a job, paying bills and starting a family are just some of the challenges they will face.
Chylee Pforr, a junior at Chartiers-Houston, said, “I’m extremely scared, because I don’t want all the stress that comes with being an adult.”
Parents and teachers show teens how to do things in their life. Once these people are no longer around to help, teens may seem lost. Stephanie Wylie, a junior at Chartiers-Houston, said, “I’m not going to have all the help I have now, and life won’t be as easy.”
For most teens, their future isn’t set in stone, and some may think this is frightening. “One day I will have to go out and fend for myself. I fear not being prepared well enough,” said Chartiers-Houston junior Abigail Hancher.
Overcoming this fear can’t be done overnight. It takes time to accept the fact that growing up is a part of life. No one should let this fear hold them back from enjoying it. A fear for some isn’t a fear for all, though. Jocelyn Henderson, a junior at Chartiers-Houston, said, “I’m not really afraid to grow up, because I’m looking forward to enjoying new experiences.”
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