Is angst a defining feature of coming-of-age process?

Angst is definitely a defining feature of the coming-of-age process. I remember when I was 11 years old, I used to see my mom go through all the struggle of raising three kids on her own because my father left us. She worked forty hours a week with a low salary of about $12.25 an hour.

When I saw her go through all of this hard work and pain, I was more than afraid to grow up and become an adult. I didn't want to have anything to do with all of this misery. So I took the time to enjoy what I was doing, which was playing football, video games and having some fun with my friends at the park. I was very nervous to grow up.

                      

                                                                                                                  

A recent study shows that growing up is tougher for girls as “teen angst” levels rises.

The research follows recent studies which suggest that girls also lead unhealthier lifestyles than boys, skipping meals to lose weight, as well as drinking and smoking too much.

Girls are more anxious than boys about their appearance, careers and a celebrity culture that places a premium on good looks. Some young women also feel burdened by an increased expectation to continue to move into areas of work that had been male-only.

It’s funny because when I look at this, I see my sister. This is what she goes through!

                                                                     

I guess that I am lucky to be a boy and that I don’t have live the lives of a miserable girl.