Comments on: Myth of Adolescence (Part 2) http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/ reb•e•lu•tion (reb’el lu shen) n. a teenage rebellion against the low expectations of an ungodly culture. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:20:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Monkey Girl http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-335464 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:49:43 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-335464 wow. thank you so much for all of these great posts. they have been helping me a lot. all the things that are said in these articles are SO TRUE!! thank you! wow. thank you so much for all of these great posts. they have been helping me a lot. all the things that are said in these articles are SO TRUE!! thank you!

]]> by: Scott Stoops http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-328746 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:41:02 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-328746 First - kudos to Alex and Brett for courageously stepping out on this one. I am always encouraged when I see men or women of any age taking a stand for Christ in their generation. Too often we slide down the slippery slope of complacency and compromise. And low expectations! Yet throughout scripture we see young men and women faced with big challenges who embraced those challenges and changed their world. I can think of Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Jeremiah, David, John, Timothy and others. I have been working in youth ministry only for a few years (and that as a volunteer). I've seen some who've heard the call of God on their lives. I expect great things from them. I've seen many more who have been indifferent and apathetic. I am also the father of a Junior High and a Senior High student. I have high expectations for them. I know they can do what ever they set out to do. My wife and I are encouraging them to walk closely with the Lord and to passionately pursue him. I've read through the two posts on the Myth of Adolescence as well as some of the comments. I also recently read an article talking about how adolescence is stretching out to the mid to late twenties. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the myth of adolescence that youth, because of their age, are not really capable of much? That this is a carefree time with few responsibilities and few real consequences. Isn't the myth that, because they are developing physically, mentally and spiritually, they need a protected space in which to grow? Are youth immature because we tell them they are? Even church life is rarely more than a little bit of milk for them to sip on rather than solid meat to chew on. I don't get the impression that anyone is saying that youth should grow up faster than they are. In many ways they are growing up much faster than when I was young. Nor do I hear that everyone will become great by this worlds standards. What I hear is young people saying that they are not going to allow the low expectations of society to hold them back. I also hear young people asking those of us who are older to walk with them, invite them into the grand adventure of God's glorious kingdom, teach them what we know and then release them into great things. First - kudos to Alex and Brett for courageously stepping out on this one. I am always encouraged when I see men or women of any age taking a stand for Christ in their generation. Too often we slide down the slippery slope of complacency and compromise. And low expectations! Yet throughout scripture we see young men and women faced with big challenges who embraced those challenges and changed their world. I can think of Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Jeremiah, David, John, Timothy and others.

I have been working in youth ministry only for a few years (and that as a volunteer). I’ve seen some who’ve heard the call of God on their lives. I expect great things from them. I’ve seen many more who have been indifferent and apathetic. I am also the father of a Junior High and a Senior High student. I have high expectations for them. I know they can do what ever they set out to do. My wife and I are encouraging them to walk closely with the Lord and to passionately pursue him.

I’ve read through the two posts on the Myth of Adolescence as well as some of the comments. I also recently read an article talking about how adolescence is stretching out to the mid to late twenties. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t the myth of adolescence that youth, because of their age, are not really capable of much? That this is a carefree time with few responsibilities and few real consequences. Isn’t the myth that, because they are developing physically, mentally and spiritually, they need a protected space in which to grow? Are youth immature because we tell them they are? Even church life is rarely more than a little bit of milk for them to sip on rather than solid meat to chew on. I don’t get the impression that anyone is saying that youth should grow up faster than they are. In many ways they are growing up much faster than when I was young. Nor do I hear that everyone will become great by this worlds standards. What I hear is young people saying that they are not going to allow the low expectations of society to hold them back. I also hear young people asking those of us who are older to walk with them, invite them into the grand adventure of God’s glorious kingdom, teach them what we know and then release them into great things.

]]> by: Daniel Hayes http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-322000 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:53:58 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-322000 Thank you guys for posting this! All we have to do to break free of this shackle of low expectations is simply take a step forward. So, Rebelutionaries, let's shake a leg! Thank you guys for posting this! All we have to do to break free of this shackle of low expectations is simply take a step forward. So, Rebelutionaries, let’s shake a leg!

]]> by: Alex (I'm a girl!) http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-312402 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:17:59 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-312402 My cousin just went on a retreat to this church thing, and apparently, it was mostly about this book. I just want to thank Alex and Brett for putting all their ideas into a book and making it availabe to us. She was so moved by it, she got me "Do Hard Things" for my birthday! Anyways, thanks again! My cousin just went on a retreat to this church thing, and apparently, it was mostly about this book. I just want to thank Alex and Brett for putting all their ideas into a book and making it availabe to us. She was so moved by it, she got me “Do Hard Things” for my birthday! Anyways, thanks again!

]]> by: Jessica http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-290099 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:55:16 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-290099 I grew up with and Atheist father and an Agnostic mother, and while not the traditional 'God' people they always had high morals and standards when it came to my behavior, and still do. I was expected to have an opinion and thoughts, my mother was always putting more emphasis on my education and intellect then on my looks even as young as the age of two (no I'm not kidding). My father always wanted a son, but when he got me, a girl, he didn't change his plans just altered it a little. Yes they took me to ballet lessons on Saturday, but my week nights were spent with the local co-ed kid soccer team, my mother bought me a few barbies to play with, but my dad taught me how to hit a homerun. Long story short they never once told me to fit into the 'societal mold' I didn't even know there WAS one until I got to middle school. That's when things got tough, because I had all these classmates boys and girls who were raised to fit into society's standards and were using everything from the Bible to the Quran to support what they did and said, while I was left empty handed and very confused. They had old religious and historical text backing them up (or so I thought at the time) I just had my parents word. So privately I began reading and researching every religion I could think of, boy did I get a surprise. My classmates had been lied to, God didn't say that girls should only wear pink dresses or that boys were always right or that playing the dumb pretty girl would get me everything or any other number of things they'd all told me. I was amazed and intrigued and by seventh grade I knew more about world religions then the Theology teacher (and had corrected him, in private of course, a number of times). In eighth grade I decided on my religion (I'm not gonna tell you what it was) and felt good now that I had religious and historical truths in my corner, my parents weren't the least upset when I told them, they were proud that I'd come to these conclusions on my own. I'm going to make a long story short. Religion I've found is a powerful and dangerous tool, it can form a generation to be it's best, or it can allow and encourage them to be their worst. And in our times where media idolizes the sex and drug driven pop culture idols, it can be hard for kids to know what God is really saying. Parents need to get away from going main stream and allowing media opinions to teach children and get back to raising children on good home grown values and morals. Jessica R. I grew up with and Atheist father and an Agnostic mother, and while not the traditional ‘God’ people they always had high morals and standards when it came to my behavior, and still do. I was expected to have an opinion and thoughts, my mother was always putting more emphasis on my education and intellect then on my looks even as young as the age of two (no I’m not kidding). My father always wanted a son, but when he got me, a girl, he didn’t change his plans just altered it a little. Yes they took me to ballet lessons on Saturday, but my week nights were spent with the local co-ed kid soccer team, my mother bought me a few barbies to play with, but my dad taught me how to hit a homerun. Long story short they never once told me to fit into the ’societal mold’ I didn’t even know there WAS one until I got to middle school. That’s when things got tough, because I had all these classmates boys and girls who were raised to fit into society’s standards and were using everything from the Bible to the Quran to support what they did and said, while I was left empty handed and very confused. They had old religious and historical text backing them up (or so I thought at the time) I just had my parents word. So privately I began reading and researching every religion I could think of, boy did I get a surprise. My classmates had been lied to, God didn’t say that girls should only wear pink dresses or that boys were always right or that playing the dumb pretty girl would get me everything or any other number of things they’d all told me. I was amazed and intrigued and by seventh grade I knew more about world religions then the Theology teacher (and had corrected him, in private of course, a number of times). In eighth grade I decided on my religion (I’m not gonna tell you what it was) and felt good now that I had religious and historical truths in my corner, my parents weren’t the least upset when I told them, they were proud that I’d come to these conclusions on my own. I’m going to make a long story short. Religion I’ve found is a powerful and dangerous tool, it can form a generation to be it’s best, or it can allow and encourage them to be their worst. And in our times where media idolizes the sex and drug driven pop culture idols, it can be hard for kids to know what God is really saying. Parents need to get away from going main stream and allowing media opinions to teach children and get back to raising children on good home grown values and morals.

Jessica R.

]]> by: Beth Long http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-288382 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:19:13 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-288382 I applaud both of you for your zeal and your decision to live for God TODAY and not in the "future of adulthood". I have been a youth pastor for almost a decade, and with that has come some measure of life wisdom. Although I agree that our society has created an awkward child-adult space called teenager, I do not agree it is all negative. Within this time frame, you are allowed a unique opportunity. You may live passionately for God, read extraordinary books, become a student of the Bible and other great pursuits; you may challenge your culture and your mind. At the same time, you may sleep in your bedroom provided by your parents, eat the food from their refridgerator, enjoy the clothing they have provided for you, usually at little to no cost to you. Would you have become a Rebelutionary had you not been afforded that summer to read such great ideas at age 16? Perhaps instead of viewing the teen years as a "mental twine" holding back this generation, we can see it as a unique blessing and opportunity to begin a foundation for God while still afforded the securities of home, shelter, and nourishment. Teen years, in my very simple opinion, can be a fantastic blessing to those willing to use them properly. Again, I applaud and support your work. I am, however, interested in what you will be writing when you have a rebelutionary of your own. God bless. I applaud both of you for your zeal and your decision to live for God TODAY and not in the “future of adulthood”. I have been a youth pastor for almost a decade, and with that has come some measure of life wisdom. Although I agree that our society has created an awkward child-adult space called teenager, I do not agree it is all negative. Within this time frame, you are allowed a unique opportunity. You may live passionately for God, read extraordinary books, become a student of the Bible and other great pursuits; you may challenge your culture and your mind. At the same time, you may sleep in your bedroom provided by your parents, eat the food from their refridgerator, enjoy the clothing they have provided for you, usually at little to no cost to you. Would you have become a Rebelutionary had you not been afforded that summer to read such great ideas at age 16? Perhaps instead of viewing the teen years as a “mental twine” holding back this generation, we can see it as a unique blessing and opportunity to begin a foundation for God while still afforded the securities of home, shelter, and nourishment. Teen years, in my very simple opinion, can be a fantastic blessing to those willing to use them properly. Again, I applaud and support your work. I am, however, interested in what you will be writing when you have a rebelutionary of your own. God bless.

]]> by: Kat http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-285003 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:06:42 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-285003 Society today has such low expectations of teenagers its heartbreaking. Just the other day I was watching a talk show with the topic of sex. And in the middle of the show they surveyed the audience to see just how many people thought it was possible for teens in today’s society to stay sexually pure until marriage. I was shocked at the response, although the majority said yes they thought it was possible, a good number of people raised their hand saying they didn’t think that was possible. One lady actually said something along the lines of how she felt that sexual purity was too much to ask for from teenagers and we shouldn’t expect because they are most likely to make a mistake and have sex. I found this statement so sad, but it is so true. When I tell people that I plan on staying pure until I get married they laugh at me or say good luck with that it’s going to be hard. And I’m not saying it’s going to be easy but i do think it is a reasonable expectation. Another example I have found of low expectations comes from my friend and her incident with a cop. My friend recently was pulled over by a cop for speeding. Which she admits was wrong, but this is a young woman who has never been pulled over before and has never been in any trouble with the law before this incident. The officer proceeded to yell at her and treat her like she was this horrible individual, and my friend’s response to that was, "he acted like I was a criminal just because I was a teenager". This is so true of many peoples impressions of teenagers not just this cop. I think that sometimes people stereotype teenagers as such lazy self-centered people and therefore have low expectations for us. Society today has such low expectations of teenagers its heartbreaking. Just the other day I was watching a talk show with the topic of sex. And in the middle of the show they surveyed the audience to see just how many people thought it was possible for teens in today’s society to stay sexually pure until marriage. I was shocked at the response, although the majority said yes they thought it was possible, a good number of people raised their hand saying they didn’t think that was possible. One lady actually said something along the lines of how she felt that sexual purity was too much to ask for from teenagers and we shouldn’t expect because they are most likely to make a mistake and have sex. I found this statement so sad, but it is so true. When I tell people that I plan on staying pure until I get married they laugh at me or say good luck with that it’s going to be hard. And I’m not saying it’s going to be easy but i do think it is a reasonable expectation. Another example I have found of low expectations comes from my friend and her incident with a cop. My friend recently was pulled over by a cop for speeding. Which she admits was wrong, but this is a young woman who has never been pulled over before and has never been in any trouble with the law before this incident. The officer proceeded to yell at her and treat her like she was this horrible individual, and my friend’s response to that was, “he acted like I was a criminal just because I was a teenager”. This is so true of many peoples impressions of teenagers not just this cop. I think that sometimes people stereotype teenagers as such lazy self-centered people and therefore have low expectations for us.

]]> by: Andee http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-284930 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 01:59:56 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-284930 Wow, you guys are awesome!! You're awesome writers, and totally inspiring. Now that I've read the article, I totally agree...I look around at school, and see people so caught up in the latest fashions, what's cool to watch, and caring more about how they look and act then about their actual school work. I see kids who are upset when the only punishment they get for a D on a report card is just a one-week grounding, where as if I got a D, i wouldn't be allowed to go anywhere or do anything except for schoolwork and studying until i brought completely back up to a high A. When I hear all the complaints, I used to roll my eyes, but now I want to do something more... Wow, you guys are awesome!! You’re awesome writers, and totally inspiring. Now that I’ve read the article, I totally agree…I look around at school, and see people so caught up in the latest fashions, what’s cool to watch, and caring more about how they look and act then about their actual school work. I see kids who are upset when the only punishment they get for a D on a report card is just a one-week grounding, where as if I got a D, i wouldn’t be allowed to go anywhere or do anything except for schoolwork and studying until i brought completely back up to a high A. When I hear all the complaints, I used to roll my eyes, but now I want to do something more…

]]> by: James http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-284734 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:51:48 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-284734 Dude you are so right. Dude you are so right.

]]> by: Jeri http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-237163 Sat, 31 May 2008 01:09:15 +0000 http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2005/08/myth-of-adolescence-part-2/#comment-237163 Way to go..keep on going. The church today has let our youth down and need a wake up call. Many churches have allowed our youth to be deceived into thinking that they are supposed to function in neutral, the youth leaders are more concerned about entertaining the youth then challanging them with the Word of God. What is the church ashamed of or afraid of...please continue to raise the standard we need our youth to grow strong and stand firm Way to go..keep on going. The church today has let our youth down and need a wake up call. Many churches have allowed our youth to be deceived into thinking that they are supposed to function in neutral, the youth leaders are more concerned about entertaining the youth then challanging them with the Word of God. What is the church ashamed of or afraid of…please continue to raise the standard we need our youth to grow strong and stand firm

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