Are teenagers really lazy?

Teenagers have a reputation for being lazy, selfish and anti-social, among other things! Kate Beddow uncovers the truth about the “lazy teen” stereotype and the reality behind their lifestyle.

I have been doing a lot of research recently about the teenage years, both as part of my studies but also because my daughter is 10 years old this year and I can already feel that life and my relationship with her is changing.

The more I read the more angry I became. I know what you’re thinking;

“it is because teenagers are rude, selfish, uncooperative, uncommunicative and lazy isn’t it?”.

Well no. Just the opposite actually. I grew angry because of the unfair treatment of our teens. When I read the list of physical changes their bodies go through it made my head spin. We all went through it, obviously, but we didn’t necessarily notice because we were much too busy worrying about who fancied us, who was making our life miserable by spreading rumours about us or making bitchy comments, whether we had the right trainers to go out in and how we were going to pass the next exam!

Our teens cope with school pressure, peer pressure, out of school and sports clubs, socialising and trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be, and all while growing up to 8cm a year (yes, a year!), growing breasts/larger genitals…