Teenagers aged 13-15 years old can no longer celebrate Children's
Day and some would say not even Youth Day. Recently, Beijing
Working Committee on Women and Children commissioned a survey to
the
Horizon
Group to investigate the psychological profile of the teenagers
in over 1,500 families with 13-15 year-olds. Several days ago, the
research report, written by Min Lefu, a family education expert
from Beijing Academy of Education Sciences, was published. In the
report, the teenage crisis has been revealed.
First, an increase in myopia suffering.
The survey shows that the physical situation of students in junior
high schools is generally good, but that their eyesight is
worrying: 51.4 percent of students surveyed had poor eyesight! The
situation for 15 year-olds was more serious with eyesight getting
progressively worse.
Second, personal distress often goes unheard.
For human relationships in the schoolyard, students of 14 year-old
have the maximum number of confidants, but 15 year-olds, "have no
intimate friend at all". As the youth face problems and sometimes
depression, most chose to tell nobody, according to the survey.
Third, strained relationships with their parents.
Teenagers of 15 will face one of their most important examssenior
high school entrance exam. Most parents put great pressure on their
children. The entrance exam is the first challenge to be met by
these children.
Fourth, desire for independence but depressed.
The increased desire to be a grown-up meets with the reality of
still being a child, while the desire to be independent is
confronted by parents' discipline and the child's need.
Teenagers of 15 are members of a high-risk group with a temporary
unstable psychology. They are easily frustrated, and often have a
desire to make incorrect decisions, such as discontinuing study,
romantic Internet love, leaving home, and can become easily
addicted to alcohol, with girls getting pregnant and some of the
age group committing suicide.
The survey also identifies that 15 is a peak teen age for
committing juvenile crime. The survey suggests that greater respect
be given to the age group and to many of the difficulties faced by
the young, developing adolescents.
(China.org.cn by Wang Zhiyong July 14, 2003)