By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

Did I miss a memo? Was there a meeting where adults collectively decided that teenagers aren’t worth their respect? While I know no such meeting occurred and no such decision was made, it sure feels that way sometimes.

In my years volunteering in youth ministry, I’ve been blessed to know many amazing young people. These kids are going to change the world. Unfortunately, the world tends to treat them like dirt. Teens aren’t taken seriously. They are often silenced. They have little to no agency.

All human beings, regardless of age, deserve to be treated with dignity. Yet adults tend to belittle teenagers. Yes, arguments can be made regarding teens and maturity, but honestly some adults are immature. And sadly, some teens have experienced horrible circumstances in their young lives, giving them life experience beyond some adults. Why then do we treat teenagers differently than we do other adults?

Teenagers Are Not Invisible

I don’t look my age. I’m aware that I look a good decade younger than I am. This isn’t to brag, but to provide some background to the story I’m going to tell.

One day, my mother and I were checking out of a big box store. I was in my mid-twenties at the time, but I looked about fifteen. As the cashier bagged our items, I placed the bags in the cart. One of the bags contained two bottles of wine.

The cashier turned on my mother with an accusatory and fearful tone. I stood there, completely ignored, totally overlooked. Instead of politely asking me for my ID, or even talking to me at all, the cashier berated my mother for letting me touch the wine.

I understand that the cashier was concerned for her own job. She would have been in serious trouble had I been a minor. However, her attitude was completely uncalled for. She also made me feel small, like I wasn’t worth even looking at.

This wasn’t the only time I was treated appallingly simply because I look like a teenager. I have so many stories I could tell. For the most part, I let it go. But where it upsets me is the realization that this is how many adults treat actual teenagers.

Teenagers Are People, Too

Many Biblical stories are about teenagers. The Virgin Mary was a teenager when she gave birth to Jesus. David was a teenager when he defeated Goliath. As a teenage king, Josiah led a religious revival upon rediscovering the Torah in the Temple. We venerate these young Biblical heroes while vilifying modern-day teenagers. Why?

I don’t have an answer to that question. I do have a plea: All my fellow adults, please check how you interact with teens. Remember when you were that age. How would you feel if someone acted like you were worthless? Maybe you had an experience like that as a teenager. That’s all the more reason to ensure you treat today’s teens better than you were treated. Let’s be cycle breakers!

Teens are the future. They are tomorrow’s leaders. It’s our responsibility as adults to equip them for their future roles. Demeaning them simply because of their age stunts their growth. We damage their emotional intelligence, their self-confidence, and their ambition when we treat them as second-class citizens. But when we see them as equals, we are able to empower them to one day take the reins and run the world.

Look Towards the Future

So how should we treat teenagers? The same way we treat anyone. Talk to them like they are young adults, because they are! Don’t automatically assume that they are dumb or ignorant. This generation has information at their fingertips. They are aware of what’s going on in the world. They have brilliant ideas and are willing to consider multiple perspectives.

We were all teenagers once. Teenagers will grow up to be adults. We should focus on giving them the support and knowledge we didn’t receive at their age. It’s often said that our goal should be to make this world a better place. Let’s start by equipping teenagers so that they are prepared for the world we leave behind.