Theory of aging that I came up with today in class

Note: this theory only corresponds to girls.



Thesis: The trauma of adolescence is the aftermath of puberty. Puberty messes
you up and the next 5-6 years are spent recovering.





Supporting Argument:

-Puberty induces shame: self-loathing and the anticipated or perceived
disapproval of others. All childhood experiences of remorse (wetting the
bed, etc) are preambles to the unremitting shame of struggling visibly and
unattractively through the physical changes of puberty.

-The peceptible nature of the changes brings unwanted attention. One is
forced to adapt to these changes publicly; privacy is stripped when it is
most needed.





Conclusion: only when the adolescent has mitigated the trauma she has
sustained during puberty can she enact the transition to adulthood.


fin-de-enfance