Teenagers

The imagination of a teenager may contain ideas, for example, of brutality, rage and anger, but these thoughts should be accepted as a form of expression. Michael Chabon explains these behaviors in his article "Solitude and the Fortresses of Youth" by saying, "It is in the nature of a teenager to want to destroy" (293). Chabon explains that these never-ending thoughts occur among children of many different ages. He also believes that people are granted the right to express these feelings (293). Every American is ensured the ability to speak freely by the First Amendment, but society seems to be hypocritical when expressions of violence flood out of a teenager's mind. Chabon believes that violent expression can not be blamed for destructive action (294). Many young people have ideas of violence in their head, but that doesn't mean they are a violent person. And when teenagers do follow through with the rage they have imagined, it is not fair of people to say that the instance could have been prevented when the teenager showed earlier signs of violence. Rather then looking upon these ideas as violence and destruction, society should view these fantasies as expression. People should understand that although teenagers may think this way, they may not always act this way. Individuals should not be punished for expressing their thoughts. It is wrong for society to control what a teenager says or writes because expression, as Chabon describes, is an outlet for a teenager's imagination (294). All individuals, not only teenagers, have the right to express themselves; after all, ideas never hurt anyone.