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Without regard for time period, teenagers have always had an innate struggle with their need to have an identity. This identity can be made up of several life experiences along with their surroundings, but it can also be a rebellion against these ideals. Teens of every decade have struggled with a sense of individuality while at the same time trying to belong to a group of like-minded peers. This constant adolescent struggle is vital in a teen's identity formation. During the teen years, there are several things to be concerned about. To the teen, the main concern is an identity. During these years, the adolescent forms opinions and ideas about the world. At the same time, they are also trying to figure out who they are as an individual person. It is important to the teen to figure out how they fit into the world that surrounds them. It is also during this time that teens have a great concern for their appearance and how others perceive them. This goes far beyond just "looking good" for dates, but rather even a simple trip to the grocery store would cause the inherent need for a teen to "get ready." For many teens, it is unheard of to go outside of the house without getting "gussied up." Besides, if the teen is wearing sweatpants in public, their life could be ruined if they happen to run into a schoolmate. It is during the teen years when the future becomes a main concern. That is why most teens are either busy flipping through college brochures or they are working on a vocational skill that will help them develop a living after high school. Many teens are also concerned with building strong friendships as they want to belong to a group of their peers. The fear of "cooties" is replaced with an attraction to the opposite sex in most cases. This search for a mate is also an instinctive need as teens are experimenting with compatibility factors. For a lot of teens, the process of figuring out who they are can become a consuming task. This would explain why so many teens appear depressed or are down a lot. During this time of self-reflection, they are very inwardly focused and don't always take the time to observe what is going on around them. Thankfully, the result of this search often lead teens out of their shell of contemplation and leaves well equipped to function as adults and ready to face the world.
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