Teenagers

Misunderstood. That is the best word to describe us. We are who we are, no what you make us out to be. You cannot change us mold us, or morph us to what you want. We are the future you don't understand. We are YOUR future. Knowing this, shouldn't you be more careful with what you do now? Control us now, but wait, just wait. One day, we won't take this anymore. The persecuted, the weak, the abused, the unwanted, the punished, the beaten, the overworked, the possessed, the sheltered, the cornered, the mistreated, will stand. The clock keeps ticking, whether you want it to or not. We won't be this way forever. Just wait.

Frail we are not, for we withstand the society of our time. Do you understand what we face?

The troubles, the hardships, the uncertainty of life. World War three is here, don't you see it?

It's in every family, every household, every story we each carry with us. All of us have stories to tell, but who will listen? For we each have stories of our own.

You judge us too harshly, without even thinking, say things that don't cross your mind, but things that stay in our hearts. "Your mother doesn't love you," "Why can't you be more like her?" or "I wish you weren't born." Our generation has had to fast forward through the many joys of childhood, like ignorance. We've become our guardian's psychologist. You tell us your problems, fears, worries. What do you think that does? It may help you, but what about us?

Children are worrying about bills and transportation, where their next meal is coming from. As we develop we have this burden, this heavy weight on our hearts. "Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger." This is so true, that is one thing we thank you for. We are strong because of these turmoils we face daily.

It is known that raising a child to adulthood is not an easy task. We are stubborn, we are our own personality. This however does not give you the right to disrespect us. Giving us rules that sometimes don't make sense. We of course cannot say anything about it because we know nothing have have no rights. It does not give you the right to distrust us with even the littlest bit of freedom. Oh how it must feel to be free. The first drive alone is the best feeling in the world. No one in the car, no watchful eyes. Just you and the car. How sweet the taste of freedom!

Take heed with what you say and do to your children of any age. We are our own person, our own generation. Just because you don't understand, doesn't mean you should treat us like you do. We know, we know you don't get it. It's frustrating but manageable. We will live on, this won't hurt us. We are the misunderstood, your future.