Alex -

I have seen the bending of the twig with my son's peers. Others are amazed at what my children know and the way they behave, but when they ask me about their learning, they quickly decide it would never work with their children. Their children MUST watch television, they MUST play video games, they WON'T go to Bible study and they HATE museums. The parent's have already imposed the shackles on their children.

I would love it if you would tell us about your young childhood and the things to which your parents exposed you. You and your brother are such impressive young men!
Jan | Homepage | 08.21.05 - 4:42 pm | #

The sociological concept of institutionalization applies to what you've been writing about adolescence. Personal characteristics and meaning become subsumed in the requirements and restrictions of institutionally imposed meaning and identity. Eventually, after enough subsuming, the person understands himself only within the limited parameters of institutional requirements. For young people in our culture, school is the institutionalizing ogre, abetted fervently by church youth groups and many other "youth friendly" structures.
Daniel Helbling | 08.21.05 - 4:43 pm | #

Hey Alex,
Wow that was a great post (well actually they have all been great, but i havn't comented till now)! Most everyone I know has these shackles of social expectation hung all around them. I agree our media is one of the biggest encouragers telling us to fit into the mold. How can we show teens that the media is forcing them into these fads, and that it goes against the Christian morals and character that we have been instilled with? While writing this i am just thinking about my classmates that are supposedly "Christians" but they have no morals and are weighd down with the expectations of our society. Thanks so much for your great posts! Keep up the good work!
God Bless!
In Christ,
Lauren Hammerstrom
Lauren | 08.21.05 - 4:43 pm | #

Very true, Alex...let me congratulate you on the clear understanding that you present on the issue.

In my own studies, I've come to the conclusion that Satan and his angels were in on this myth. I mean, hey, he is the father of lies. I don't think he would have forgotten the youth that God had used in the past - David, Josiah, Timothy, Titus, and the Apostle John. I suppose the last one is the most surprising but it must be remembered that John didn't die until c. 96 AD - assuming he lived to be around 80+ (which is still an extraordinary age for those days), he would have been 13 or so (at the youngest) when Jesus' ministry began. Shocking, yes?
David Ketter | Homepage | 09.04.05 - 12:05 pm | #

Oops, I submitted that before I was finished...

In any case, Satan would not have forgotten the impact that they had in the world and was probably bound and determined to do whatever he could to stop it. I have to admit that he's done a pretty thorough job in the Western hemisphere.

Keep up the good work.
David Ketter | Homepage | 09.04.05 - 12:06 pm | #

Hey David, I'm sure the father of lies is in on this one... No doubt.

I also think that Satan and his demons use different tactics in different areas of the world. In the western hemisphere, where Christianity is more prevalent, they are better served if people don't believe they exist. In other, lesser-developed areas, their presence is very real and oppressive. Both strategies are equally as effective... Especially if the people of God become lackadaisical and careless, failing to respond with the Truth of God's Word.
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 09.04.05 - 3:11 pm | #

AWESOME!!! I don't think it could have been said any better. I'm a SR and have been homeshcooled all my life. But man did you ever say exactly what I have been feeling since...well.....I became a "teenager". Keep up the good work. I love your BLOG
Nate | 12.19.05 - 8:55 pm | #

Impressive! Well said, I will be forwarding this on to my family and friends...
Jezzy | Homepage | 03.07.06 - 6:20 pm | #

This is so true!I think your blog is great thanks.
Jemima | 05.13.06 - 11:03 am | #

Hm, talk about a "rebelution". Kinda scary reading this and knowing that I agree, while being expected to act my age...

Keep it coming, brothers.
Anthony H. | 08.27.08 - 2:15 pm | #