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Show Rebel Teen-Age- rs ffo JTS--m- LJI Ji Syracuse, N.Y., :a U LIaLIvL. ; high-scho- ol which they seem to lack in their family or at school. Feelings of depression could spark rebellion. Youngsters have ventilated their emotional hang-up- s through tantrums, truancy, stealing, and a wide range of delinquent behavior. "Those who turn inward, to sick expressions of depression, are the real the real LSD nuts," notes Doctor Alpern. What aboit the armies of demonstrators who are hopping mad over the war in Vietnam, the draft, or acid-head- ? m s, their schools? 'Their gripes are tangible," says Doctor Cans. "In school, many teach- ers don't know how to teach. Curricula often are geared to the 19th century. Professors go off on research. Some students see the university as a microcosm of society and attack society through the university. On the political front, the young activists want to change the "system," to build a new world. The late Sen. Robert Kennedy and Sen. Eugene McCarthy were their voices and apparently gave them hope. These heroes listened to youth and made dissent respectable. Despite the various "causes" that - sh rf J I students staged a recent boycott and succeeded in closing the school. have emerged, Doctor Schonfeld believes that many participate without purpose or ideals. "They merely identify with a youth movement. While they speak of peace and love, they cruelly disregard their parents and incite riots." Just why American youths rebel does not always appear on the surface. Obviously, they protest the Vietnam war because they believe it's "stupid and unjust." At school, they're bored with dull courses. But what really underlies their unrest and drives them to revolt? As every harassed father and mother knows, a teen-agis changing physically, mentally, and emotionally. He's in a sort of "second infancy." He has bade farewell to childhood but is not yet ready for adulthood. In this period of transition and turmoil, he wants to know, "Who am I?" Questions crop up about sex, career, religion, independence. All are fertile fields for resistance to authority first his parents, then his teachers, and finally, the community itself. Another area of turmoil in families is created by what Doctor Schonfeld calls the "Great Expectations er J Syndrome." Girls have to be popular at parties and dances ; boys must ex- cel in sports or in school grades. If a youth sees himself failing accord- ing to his elders' standards of suche is likely to rebel in pne way or another. By running away to a slum, for instance, the suburban youngster evades the demands put on him by his parents. Looking around, the discontented youngster of a middle-clas- s family may rebel against the "rat race" the materialistic values of his parents. "In our affluent society," remarks Doctor Schonfeld, "many youngsters don't have to strive for survival or economic success. So they are content to struggle for more idealistic concepts." cess feel that and their parents are getting stale, so they want to shake us up. They simply want a change. This is vividly reflected in some of their favorite songs, such as Phil Ochs' "Changes" and Bob Dylan's Many young people schools, our political set-up, "The Times They Are The Dylan song calls upon mothers and fathers not to criticize what thpy don't understand. "Your sons and daughters are beyond your command, your old rules are rapidly aging . . ." Essentially, the "acting-out- " and activist rebels are trying to tell us they're dissatisfied with existing conditions, don't find a valid place for themselves in building their own world, and are searching for a purpose in life. Some want a "bloodless revolution," though they're not sure what they're striving for will be any better than what we already have. Others believe they can find contentment in a guru-typ- e of Asiatic philosophy or religion. "Wo'ro developing a new life cycle called adolescence," says Doctor Cans, endeavoring to explain tb phenomenon. "Until recently, kids went to work directly from elementary or high school. But now affluence has prolonged the period of adolescence, and youngsters have more time for rebellion. And we're just not sure how they ought to behave." Doctor Schonfeld views youthful rebellion as a free expression of feelings. If Johnny's father resents his boss, he can't express his feelings directly for fear of losing his job. Johnny, on the other hand, has much less to lose since he's not dependent on the Establishment, so he does let loose his resentments. Part of the responsibility may lie with parents, Mrs. Selma B. Ortof of the Child Study Association of America points out. "A mother wants her daughter to start dating and going to parties at the age of 12, even But then she will using eye make-unot permit her daughter to act out or be flirtatious at that age." Everything boils down to one question : what can parents do to prevent their offspring's rebellion or at least keep it within healthy, constructive bounds? Unfortunately, there is no one, answer. But one helpful thought came from Judge Leo Blessing of New Orleans, La.: "One sure cure for adolescence is age. If we can suffer with them, be patient and tolerant, they will grow older and hopefully wiser." p. Family Wtekly, February S3. 1969 S |