In Growing Up Scripted, the author, Christopher L. Doyle, explores the freedom of teenagers in this time period. He argues that teens today are “overworked, overregulated, and overstressed.” (Doyle) The author states that the youth are not familiar with the freedom to pursue a passion or aspire to be something. Doyle compares the present circumstances for growing up to his personal experiences in the 60’s and 70’s, and demonstrates the dramatic differences between the two. While he was not weighed down by massive amounts of homework, today many teenagers are being burdened with school. The author suggests that the adolescents of today should be given more relaxation time. They need to be able to breathe.
While there are a few points that Doyle makes that I do not completely agree with, I do believe that in many cases, the youth are not given enough freedom. For example, the suggestion to “slash homework requirements” is a bit extreme in my opinion (Doyle). Homework, like most things is good in moderation. Excessive homework is an issue, but I do not think it should be completely slashed. Continuing work outside of school gives teens much needed responsibility, but when there is too much, it becomes overbearing and, as Doyle writes, “they [teens] are far more likely to be diagnosed with a psychological malady of stress, depression, and attention-deficit variety and to be medicated.” The extreme stress that is placed on the youth of today could be eliminated by a little more freedom for teens all across America. They need to be able to breathe.
