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Humorist Mark Twain didn't have a high opinion of the American teenager. "Things run along pretty smoothly," Twain wrote, "until your kid reaches thirteen. That's the time you need to stick 'em in a barrel, hammer the lid down nice and tight and then feed 'em through the knothole. And then, about the time he turns sixteen, plug up the knothole."
Stories about guns in schools and the suicide rate among teens fuels the belief that teenagers are out of control and adults often feel little respect for teens. One man wrote, "The world is passing through troublous times. The young people of today think of nothing but themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old age. They are impatient of all restraint. They talk as if they know everything, and what passes for wisdom with us is foolishness for them. As for the girls, they are forward, immodest and unwomanly in speech, behavior and dress." Times haven't changed much - Peter the Hermit wrote those words in A.D. 1274.
Despite those popular misconceptions about teenagers, the idea that all teens are rebellious, hormone-driven monsters just isn't true. In a Pew Survey from 2022, 85% of teen respondents indicated that they believe in God. A 2025 survey concluded that members of Gen Z are actually less likely to identify as atheists than their parents. Recent revivals on major college campuses, including Ohio State, have resulted in thousands of baptisms.
In truth, today's teens are no different than all the generations that have come before - we're ALL rebels at heart. Perhaps we hear more about teens today because of the media's spotlight, but the rebellious spirit in all of us can and must be mastered. That's called "maturity" and some 70-somethings need it as much as some teenagers! Proverbs contains some great advice for young people - and the rest of us - to help us find the best path and stay on it.
First, Proverbs 19:27 advises us to maintain a teachable spirit: "Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge" (NIV). Those times when we think we have the world by the horns can be very dangerous; success can breed overconfidence, whether it comes from obtaining that first driver's license, gaining that degree, or becoming the company CEO. No matter how high one climbs on the totem pole of life, wise folks recognize that they always have more to learn and room to grow.
It's also important to recognize, as we grow older, that mistakes can affect the rest of one's life. Kids will be kids, but when adults make childish mistakes, the resulting mess can't always be cleaned up. Proverbs 20:11 cautions us to consider the reputation we're building for ourselves: "Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?" This year, 3 million teenagers will become infected with a sexually-transmitted disease. A quarter of a million babies will be born to teenage moms, most of them unmarried. A half-million students will be injured while under the influence of alcohol, and 1400 will die. Between 20-25% of marriages end because of affairs. One need only review the headlines to be reminded of how many politicians, business executives and even religious leaders come to ruin because of their own silly choices. Mature people consider the possible consequences of their actions and choose accordingly.
Lastly, to avoid trouble, choose companions and entertainment wisely. Your friends will make you better - or not! Proverbs 28:7 counsels, "A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father." The wrong music, movies and games feed garbage to the mind. One study, conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina and reported in the Journal of Adolescent Health, noted that "Adolescents who are exposed to more sexual content in their media diets, and who perceive greater support from the media for teen sexual behavior, report more sexual activity and greater intentions to engage in sexual intercourse in the near future." The frightening fact? That study was of students 12-15 years old. The old truism about computer programming applies to the programming of human minds as well: Garbage in, garbage out. Even mature adults should remember that old song from Sunday School: "O be careful little eyes what you see, O be careful little ears what you hear..." We might want to add another verse: "O be careful little hand whose you hold!"