So everybody knows that adolescence is a difficult, embarrassing, awkward time. We all have many a moment that we can recall cringing at the idea of past haircuts, boyfriends, and interactions. Kids in America seem to really suffer their ways through middle and high schools. We even see some of the most tragic results of this in the news when events like the Columbine shootings take place, but most of us experience adolescent angst on a lesser level.
I think a lot of this awkwardness, frustration and insecurity is present in many cultures, but I have to say, I think that Italians seem to live through it better than most. Italian kids are just as strange, silly, and confused as their foreign counterparts, but they do not seem to be as aware of it, and they certainly do not seem to be as unhappy about it. Perhaps this has to do with some cultural differences-- American kids can be very isolated in their homes and dependent on their parents if they want to do something or go somewhere. Italians kids can often meet up in the piazza whenever they please. I do think that Italian parents are less strict, which can lead to some big problems, but also has its advantages.
This topic came into mind today while I was at the Lido beach here in Venice, watching a big group of 14 year olds run around, joking and playing and just having fun. They were obnoxious, yelling and spitting and hitting people with their soccer ball. They left a bunch of trash on the beach, but they seemed to lack that self-awareness by which so many American youth seem imprisoned. I was almost jealous.
Tim Parks mentions this a little in his book where he writes about his children (I don't remember the name right now). His comparison is with British youth.
What do the other expats think?
As for myself, I just got back from another mini-break in Positano with another visitor. Tomorrow she leaves and I will have a bit more time to myself to get back into blogging. Positano was lovely as always, now I just need to convince Gius to move there...and come up with a cool 2 million euro for a house...
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- Nancy - Girl in Giro
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- Twenty-something American girl who picked up and moved to Italy after college graduation. Five years later, still in Italy-- Venice to be exact...
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3 comments:
I honestly don't think things are any easier in Italy for teens, I have teenage cousins in small towns in the south and they've gone and are going through some rough stuff. (side note- so glad I'm not a kids in these times, phew!)
I really think the whole adolescent experience depends on where a kid lives: not in terms of which country but rather in terms of city or suburbs. In cities, kids face a whole different set of problems.
From what I see in Rome, teenage kids don't exactly have an idyllic life and in some neighborhoods things are VERY tough.
Kids in small towns or suburbs (like my relatives) have fewer outlets and tend to feel more pressure to fit in with their peer- which can lead to some big issues.
You caught a glimpse of happy kids but I'm pretty sure kids have it just as hard here. And there seems to be less acceptance for those who "are different" in Italian cities in general- whereas in big cities in the US, being different can sometimes be seen as an asset for a kid.
They may not have Columbine incidents here but they have plenty of other issues... Did you read the most recent news about the girl from Rovigo who shot herself? Her ex-boyfriend posted video of them having sex and she was so humiliated & heartbroken that she shot herself. It's universal teen angst.
I see your point. I also agree that one's physical location has an effect on the quality of life and that any type of isolating environment is difficult for a teeager.
I also think there is a lot of pressure on teenage girls here to be very pretty and sexual. Growing up I was always encouraged to play a lot of sports and it was considered "cool" at my school to be a good athlete. Italian girls seem more sexualized, which of course has its own set of problems and is a debate I will surely get into further on.
I'm sorry I missed you in Positano but i didn't know who to look for. If you see a 45 year old lady looking harassed with a bunch of shopping bags that'll be me next time.
Kids in italy have it rough too. They need to fit in ,wear the right designer clothes etc. Only they are louder so that it seems like they are having fun.
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