Fiction 1.3 "Let Teenagers Try Adulthood"

Should Teenagers Be Allowed To Try Adulthood?

     The main point argued in "Let Teenagers Try Adulthood" by Leon Botstein is that high schools are hindering the development of adolescents because they isolate teens into cliques and stereotypes. The author fails to explain the primary purpose of high school which is to provide a social and educational bridge into the real world. Adulthood can not be mastered when on a rushed route through one's adolescent years; lessons take time to be retained in the brain. High school is a definite necessity when preparing for the obstacles of adulthood. When experiencing the process of high school, students gain much-needed social skills, basic knowledge, and the concept of who they want to be in the real world. Botstein believes that high school is limiting teens to only interacting amongst their similar-aged peers. Although this may be true, it offers a sense of comfort to teens that are intimidated by working with older people. The ability to connect among peers must be achieved before one can achieve success on their own. As well as social comfort, one must be well informed of basic information. Botstein thinks it is necessary to rush into college, but a person can not do well in college if they are not properly prepared. If too much information is crammed into the brains of students in order to rush them off to college, then they will not retain the information properly. With the aid of high school, students develop a judgement of who they are and what they would like to major in. Botstein argues that by spending less time in high school and more time in college, a student will succeed more in the real world. This is not true because the student does not have enough time to fully develop an opinion concerning what they aspire to be. Major conflicts would result from a younger graduating class. There would be a higher rate of unemployment considering the demand for jobs right out of college. In addition, high school students need time to develop an understanding of maturity towards ideas and concepts of life. Botstein suggests that since our generations are maturing more quickly physically, teens do not need to spend as much time maturing their skills in life. This is a false accusation because the generations of children are becoming increasingly mentally immature. Sports and hobbies are viewed as stereotypical dividers by the author, but they are merely a way to accompany people in acquiring cooperation and leadership skills. Teens learn how to give orders as well as receive them from other teammates resulting in the improved ability to communicate effectively. Hobbies open up a broad spectrum of interests that may take a student years to finally decide on which one they would like to pursue. Much time must be given in order for them to consider their options of which hobbies they would like to strive for in life. Leon Botstein's idea of shortening the time spent at secondary school would be unable to work properly because teens would not gain proper education of how to survive in the real world.