Trials of Our Teens

January 1, 1970

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We well remember those years – the years when we had left childhood behind but had not yet “arrived” as adults. And our problems, which often seemed deeply serious to us, were not always considered so by others. More was expected of us than we had previously been accustomed to, yet less confidence was placed in us than we sometimes thought we were entitled – and we were sometimes resentful of restraints. We have seen the wisdom of it all since then, but it was often trying to us in our teens. We sometimes thought of parents as people who didn’t seem to know that the world had “changed.” Their ideas and advice sometimes seemed “old-fashioned,” and there were times when we felt they were merely trying to interfere with our fun. Yes, we knew they had been “over the road” but we sometimes supposed that the road must have altered altogether since they were young. To us it was a new road. How could they know? But to them it was a familiar journey. Superficially, the scenery changes, but basically the same roads still go the same places. And to you in the years of your youth: Believe us, parents don’t want to “spoil your fun.” But they have traveled the road; they have seen the signs – and they know the dangerous dead ends. They have seen the crashes of those who ignore the precautions – and they don’t want you, their children, to come to a jumping-off place at a speed you can’t control. The rules of the road (the commandments and precautions) are essential, because time and experience and human nature have proved that they are essential. They may not be infallible, but their wisdom will far outweigh their mistakes. And there will come a time when you will understand this – if not sooner, then years from now, when you yourself may be anxiously trying to help a boy or a girl of your own go through the trials of their teens.

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