By Savanah Huffman
When the topic of stress is brought up, people usually think of adults. Adults get stressed over jobs, bills, and responsibilities, and that stress is almost always taken seriously. Teen stress is often brushed off as “just being dramatic” or “part of growing up.” Many adults believe that because teenagers are younger and have fewer responsibilities, their stress is not as important. However, this mindset ignores how much pressure teens are actually under. Teenagers’ stress is often taken less seriously than adult stress, even though it is the same and can be overwhelming during such an important stage of life.
One reason why teen stress is ignored is because adults think teenagers have it easy. When teenagers talk about being stressed, they are often told things like, “wait until you’re an adult” or “you don’t know real stress yet.” While adults do have serious responsibilities, that does not mean teen stress is fake or unimportant. Stress feels real in the moment, no matter how old you are. For teens, school, grades, friendships, and future plans feel like everything. Teens are being constantly told that their stress does not matter, that it’s only going to get worse, and that they need to suck it up can make them feel unheard and discouraged from opening up again.
School is one of the main causes of stress for teenagers, but adults often underestimate how intense it really is. Teenagers are expected to keep up good grades, prepare for college, pass standardized tests, and stay involved in activities, all while managing social lives and sometimes jobs. Unlike adults, teens do not get much control over their schedules or workload. School pressure is nonstop, and the fear of failing or falling behind can feel crushing. Adults may see school as temporary, but for teens, it feels like their entire future depends on it.
Social pressure also plays a huge role in teen stress, and it is another thing adults often dismiss. Friendships, relationships, and fitting in matter a lot during teenage years. On top of that, social media makes everything more intense. Teens are constantly comparing themselves to others, worrying about how they look, how many likes they get, or what people think of them. Cyberbullying and online drama can follow teens everywhere, even at home. When adults call these problems, “teen drama,” it makes teens feel like their emotions are not valid.
Another reason teens stress is not taken seriously is because people assume teens will just grow out of it. While some stress may fade over time, ignoring it does more harm than good. When teenagers feel like no one takes them seriously, they might stop talking about their feelings or asking for help. This can lead to anxiety, burnout, or even depression. Teen stress should be addressed easily but not brushed aside, because mental health issues do not disappear with age.
In conclusion, teen stress is often dismissed compared to adult stress, even though it is real and impactful. School pressure, social expectations, and emotional development all contribute to the stress teenagers experience every day. Instead of minimizing teenagers’ struggles, adults should listen and take them seriously. When teenagers feel supported and understood, they are better able to cope with stress and grow into healthier adults.
Savanah Huffman is a Fillmore Central High School student, one of 10 area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 27th year.
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