Being a teenager is a tedious job and for girls, it’s worse! Though both boys and girls go through the trauma of adolescence, teenage girls tend to usually be more insecure about themselves. Here are 7 things teenage girls worry about and how can they outgrow these issues.
Fat or thin, dark or fair? Oh mirror, please tell me what I should do with my hair!
Body image is one of the most important concerns of adolescent girls. Thoughts of their weight, hair, and skin tone keep them worried all day long, even when no one’s watching. This is majorly due to the habitual comparison done by society, to force the idea of an ideal body on girls. In their craving of a 36-24-36 figure, they begin comparing themselves to their peers and even television/movie stars; even a pound of extra flesh on their waists becomes unacceptable to them. After that, it’s only a matter of time before they begin with their ‘cucumber’ diets or even starvation, if need be. In certain extreme cases, this can lead to severe depression, body image issues, and adoption of unhealthy habits in order to be ‘perfect’.
Dear girls, it is okay to enjoy the occasional cheese and chocolate. It is okay to be a few kilos less/more than the ideal bodyweight for your height, as long as you have health on your side. Although you should be careful about your body and eating habits, you should also know that it’s not necessary to look like magazine models at all times. Live carefree.
Should I listen to them, or myself?
During childhood, we are made to work and think according to our parents. We nod if they nod, we don’t if they don’t. During teenage however, parents are comparatively more liberal with their impositions on kids, and teenagers are allowed to have their own opinions or take a stand if they wish to. If you must speak out and do things as per your liking, why restrict it only to the domestic sphere? Why speak up only against parents? As a teenage girl, you must stand up for what is right and speak your mind; but you must do this for every situation, in any sphere. You must know when and how to make your own decisions and abide by them too. There are a lot of situations in a girl’s life where she might underestimate her own intelligence to make a decision and this is where she must take the road less travelled; just go with your instinct. Growing up also means that one must learn to distinguish between right and wrong, and most importantly – trust one’s own parents, value system and upbringing.
Not being good enough
One thing that every teenager should believe in – no one is perfect. This insecurity of not being liked by everyone and not being good enough, be it personally, professionally or socially, is simply toxic. Everyone has imperfections and it is not important for every person to be good at everything. It does seem like some people are ‘God’s own children’ who do well everywhere- but they too have their own issues and insecurities; maybe those issues are unknown to you as yours are to them. Do your best and remember that those who matter will not mind it; and those who mind it, don’t matter.
The fear of saying NO
As we grow up, we are burdened with tons of situations where we need to choose what is right for ourselves. Teenage girls are most often worried of not ‘fitting in’- “If I don’t drink, I might be considered a loser” and “What if he breaks up with me if I refuse to get intimate with him?” This fear is not only limited to daily-life decisions, the fear of not choosing the right thing to do can be involved in long- term plans too, such as subject choices or peer group choices. One needs to remember that following the norm or blindly going for something just because everyone is doing so, is wrong. It can lead to devastating results. It isn’t necessary that the herd’s direction is the right one. So it’s better to decide and choose what is best for YOU, and what seems right.
Peer Groups
Peers become the most important part of a teenager’s life. Their best friends provide them with family-like support in all such matters that they feel uncomfortable in sharing with their parents. Hence, it is imperative to choose good and positive friends. Often, girls become insecure or unsure of the people they hang out with and seek convenient, ‘advantageous’ friendships. Teens generally desire to be a part of the so called popular gang – the rich/the carefree/the stylish kids who have the seemingly perfect life. What they don’t understand is that the grass on the other side is always greener, and what might seem desirable, is often misleading.
It is not imperative to be a part of the crème de la crème group, you can be the best of your own kind and among people you actually belong to.
Tagged
Adolescents are often victims of being ‘tagged’ or ‘labeled’. In middle/high school terms – you may be branded a geek, a hooker, a loser, or a Barbie doll. It’s tough, but if you stop caring and reacting the way people want you to, you will remain content. You can’t change mindsets, so why not change yourself instead? Break free from the fear of categorization. Carry yourself with dignity and be proud of who you are, and your likes and dislikes. Above all, believe that you are not alone in the ordeal, so don’t let stupid people ruin your best years.
Career Choices
A huge responsibility on a 15-17 year old is to decide which ‘stream’ to take, to be aware of what they want to do in life. At a tender age, they are bestowed upon with the gigantic tension of what their lives should be like. For girls especially, it is supposed to be respectable and future-family-friendly too. Hence, insecurities regarding misjudgment and wrong decisions for the future may seep in, and can be nerve- wracking. What one needs to remember is that it’s okay to be confused as to what your career option should be. Research well and work hard, for this is one chance you might never get again. This time will not return. Have faith in yourself and believe that you will do well in whatever you choose.
