the kids are not alright (and here are 12 reasons why)

1. Because "different" is "bad." We as humans - young and old alike - have this chronic fear of the unknown, and that is such a hindrance in furthering the development of our society. We should be accepted for who we are as well as for who we aren't. We are all, every one of us, beautiful in the sense that we each offer something different to the world. We should be asking each other, "What are you passionate about?" instead of "Why aren't you passionate about the same things I am?"

2. Because missing one day of school means struggling through three days of catch-up work. Honors/IB/AP/College in the Schools classes are great. They push students to do better and reach higher, and they prepare us for what will be expected of us when we get to college. But at 16, 17 years old, who has the mental capacity for that much work? Most of which, by the way, is busywork or practice work that we feel inclined to do only because it is worth points, and will - usually drastically - affect our grade for that class if we don't turn it in. High school shouldn't cause so much stress that kids are literally working themselves sick - actually, physically ill - to maintain their 3.5+ GPAs while still keeping up an appearance at the family dinner table at home. It should be a red flag to school administration when students are staying home from school to do homework. Because we are. 

3. Because mental illness is a topic we're discouraged from discussing, even though approximately 1 in 5 adults in the US suffers from a mental illness, and 20% of children in the US battle a seriously debilitating mental disorder. (read more) Those who suffer from a mental illness - or any chronic illness, for that matter - do not receive the attention, support, help, or care they need because they feel like they're broken or beyond help. Because that's what the stigma surrounding mental illnesses today tells them they are. 

4. Because racial/gender inequality is a topic that we're not talking about together. We're getting better at this one, but we still have a long ways to go. Change comes through understanding. Take a minute to put yourself in someone else's shoes, or to listen to someone else's story. Don't criticize others for being passionate about change. "She's such a feminist" should not be used/taken as an insult. Ask questions. Seek answers. Create hope, acceptance, and safe spaces where others feel they can be themselves. There is strength in vulnerability, but no peace in solitude when someone feels like they've already been isolated for too long. 

5. Because it's bad to be "too involved," to have "too much on your plate," to do the musical, marching band, debate, and dance team all at once because "you're spreading yourself too thin." But it's also bad to do nothing. To not do twelve different things throughout the course of the school year because your honors classes alone are hard enough, and it takes all your effort and energy to keep your GPA up. Not everyone is able to find that balance between the two. Not everyone is as good at saying no. But not everyone is as good at saying yes, either. Not everyone deals with stress the same way. Sometimes less truly is more, and we shouldn't be criticized for choosing to take a small break, or for simplifying our weekly schedules right from the beginning.

6. Because as high school students, our value and self-worth is determined by numbers. Low GPA? "The good colleges won't accept you. Why should you accept yourself?" Two C's before the end of first semester? "You're not [trying hard] enough." Your class rank is your rank in society. IT'S ALL WRONG.

7. Because when you stand up for your beliefs or values - no matter who you are - people automatically suspect that you're trying to convert them or make them fit into your mold. Because we're not listening. We're not respecting others' lifestyles. Upon closer investigation, I think we'd all discover that we're not so different, after all. 

8. Because it's better to be told "you're so skinny" than "you need to lose some weight." 

9. Because we are unable to support others' successes without questioning our own.

10. Because young girls are not able to look at another woman and say "yes, her body is beautiful, but so is mine."

11. Because there are instructions for life. From day one, the majority of us are told "Crayons and coloring books, work hard high school, "discover yourself" in college, graduate on time, get married, start your career [that you trained for in college], have a couple kids, settle down, work hard, do your part to contribute to society, retire, in that order." There is no deviance. Kids are afraid to do something different or wander off the beaten path because they might fail. Older generations don't respect the excitement that comes with the uncertainty of adventure. You're "tsk tsk'ed" if you don't go to college right away - and God forbid you never go at all! Because what could one possibly do without a college degree? You won't ever start a career. You won't be able to pay bills. You'll be homeless before you're 40! Younger generations need to be encouraged to take risks and follow their passions - whether that involves post-secondary education or not. College isn't for everybody. Often times passions can be pursued - and grown and nourished into careers - outside of a university. Big businesses should be encouraged to hire young entrepreneurs and take chances on the kids who graduated top of their high school classes, but who decided not to go to college right away so they could travel and gain real-world experience before spending 4 more years in a classroom where they're just a number. Just another cog in the maze of corporate machinery. Daring to do things "a little different" is how people learn to become who and what they actually aspire to be. Taking a couple years in between graduating from high school and starting an undergraduate degree at a college to backpack across Europe and study with Buddhist monks in India may be unorthodox, but it is a deeper kind of self-exploration and self-discovery than I think attending a public university for four years is. And more young people should be encouraged to take that chance.

12. Because today, not hating myself is considered radical. If I don't hate myself, if I carry myself with confidence and smile at strangers and ask others how they're doing or offer advice because I myself don't need any at that moment, it's considered "strong" or "brave." It's uncommon. It's something to be noticed, because it's different. And it's good to be different. It's good to be a light in an otherwise dark world. But I wish those of us who fit this description weren't just pinpricks of light. I wish everything was bright.

"Sometimes, I feel I gotta get away. [School] bells chime, I know I gotta get away. And I know if I don't, I'll go out of my mind. Better leave [me] behind with the kids, they're alright. [But it's okay, because] the kids are alright."

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The Kids Are Alright / The Who