April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Things change (and some don't)
Several of them recently reviewed a copy of one of the first teen issues published by The Evangelist in 1989. Although they see differences in being a teen today versus a teen of 11 years ago, they also believe there are similarities.
Teens interviewed in 1989 shared their concerns about selecting a college and making the transition to on campus living.
Changes
"We have a lot of the same things to deal with," said Ama Schrader-Rank, a 16-year-old parishioner of St. Margaret of Cortona Church in Rotterdam Junction, "like picking out colleges. The pop culture references are different, but we still have the same stuff to worry about -- like succeeding, school and social issues."One difference is that there is an intense pressure to succeed placed on teens today. "We can't just have hobbies," she said. "We have to be really good at them."
She did notice that society has made progress since the 1980s. "There was a big AIDS scare then," said Ama. "It still scares people, but it's not as bad."
Culture
Eric Buell, a 16-year-old parishioner from St. Francis de Sales Church in Troy, noted that some of the issues facing young Catholics have remained the same."We're still talking about the same thing," he said. "We still need to get teens involved." He participates in music ministry, and serves as a lector, altar server and Eucharistic minister.
Changes in culture have affected the way teens handle their struggles, said Eric. "One difference is technology," he said. "We're still facing the same problems. Then you might work out a problem with a girlfriend over the phone; now it's over the computer. Things change, but people don't."
Better now?
Peggy Keough, a 16-year-old member of St. Lucy's parish in Altamont, said in some ways it may have been more difficult to be a teen in the past."The culture was different," she said. "When you look at the music [from the 1980s], the old music was harder. You had to be tough. Kids today don't have to prove as much, and the music today is not as rough."
She enjoyed looking at the clothing and hairstyles featured in the early teen issue. Bi-level haircuts, large rimmed glasses and dangling earrings marked the styles of the late 1980s.
Predictions
Knowing that people revisit past teen issues for a glimpse of what life is like led the teens to give advice to youth who might be reading this week's issue in 2011."If you really think you can't cope and there is no one for you, religion is a good coping method," said Ama. "God loves you."
Eric advised: "Don't take for granted what you're going through. Time is flying by. Live every day as if it were your last. Try as hard as you can and give your best."
Peggy's advice to future teens was: "Try and be yourself. Don't let society rule you. Pick your own clothes, and pick your own music."
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