"Growing up can be a challenging process for young people facing thoughts and feelings of apprehension. Many young people compromise themselves by seeking security from superficial peer attention and approval. Popularity wasn't a pursuit of many successful people when young because they were focused on valued living. Insecure. That's the word I would choose to best capture the growing-up experience of teenagers. A characterization harvested from my 56 years of working with youth as a coach, psychologist, teacher, mentor, playground supervisor, camp counselor, etc."
"What's the insecurity all about? A mix of things, including the search for identity, socializing with peers, and just plain getting older. Those, and other contributing factors, can be an intertwined, confusing, and anxiety-provoking struggle for teens, including young athletes, musicians, and other performers. How they respond to that befuddlement can lead to either a life of meaningful fulfillment or one of messy misdirection, dysfunction, and ultimate life disappointment."
Adolescence commonly involves insecurity arising from identity searches, peer relationships, and maturation. Many young people respond by seeking security through superficial peer attention and approval, which can compromise authenticity. The way youth handle this uncertainty determines trajectories toward meaningful fulfillment or toward misdirection, dysfunction, and disappointment. Prioritizing valued living over popularity supports long-term success. Two musicians, John Bell and Lee Mars, navigated adolescent insecurity and later achieved renown musical careers. Both originated from Shaker Heights, Ohio, and experienced formative years in local schools and camps that influenced their development.
Read at Psychology Today
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