Adolescence

Adolescence is the time when transitioning between being a child and an adult. This is the time when "teens/adolescence" slowing gain new responsibilities, while still being held back. Society defines adolscence age group as it does because its the time when you begin to go places on your own but you are still in school and being supported by your parents. Adolescence struggle because society (for examples school; teachers, and parents) tell us that we should know better and be more responsible, but at the same time laws such as driving laws, and drinking laws, are illegal for our age because they say, we aren't responsible enough yet. Well what is it should we and are we responsible or not, how come they get to have it both ways?
Status. No matter what age you are people think about status all the time. How you dress, do your hair, talk, act, what you buy, and where you live all have to do with status. Especially for adolscence status is involved in your life everyday. An example is what you wear to school and how you look. Adolescence dress like their group. Depending on what you wear can determine who you are friends with, which effects your "school status." This continues throughout adulthood and will always remain. No matter your age, you want to fit in and be liked, and all of this goes right back to status, and where you want to be on the "status scale."
Of course everyone thinks it doesn't have to be this way, but as a natural insitinct people was to climb their way up the "status ladder" and be liked, so even if you don't want it to be this way and truely believe it doesn't have to be then try it. I would want to agree with you and believe that you don't have to be effected by status, but we are...we are affected by status everyday and strive to get as much status and we can. The never ending strive for success and power in American culture.