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Should he dislike a teacher—and he frequently does—he may put a thumbtack on her chair. "However, when he is resisting some task such as learning the complications of English grammar and strenuously feels that he 'won't need to know these in life,' he is only further upset by a teacher who agrees with him. At that very moment he is almost begging for authority, an authority that says . . . that there are certain things you have to do in life whether you like it or not." Thirteen is a man of conscience, and though there are many doubters in that year, there are apt to be even more believers. "Thirteen is an age when many children are confirmed in the church by their own choice."
The Social Animal. For all of Thirteen's good points, Fourteen comes along as a relief. "There is more laughter and more noise and singing in the house. There is less withdrawal. The household senses a hew contentment and relaxation." It is true that Fourteens may think of their parents, i.e., "They," as "old-fashioned," "antiquated," or even "living in the 19403." It is also true, as one teacher complained, that noise is such a natural part of their lives that "they don't actually hear it." But all in all, Fourteen is easy to have around.
There is a truce between the sexes. Un like 13-year-olds, the boys no longer automatically go off together at a party, leaving the girls to fend for themselves. Basically, Fourteen is a social animal. He is intrigued by the notion of "personality." When asked about her best friend, a girl will say: "I have a whole bunch of best friends." For the girls especially, this is the age of communication. School is a place to gossip in; home is a place to telephone from.
While more than ever socially inclined, Fourteen is also more aware of himself.
"Growing in his interest is the study of man—his biology, physiology, psychology." He is so aware of his own personality that he frequently identifies with the characters in books and movies ("That's me. That's me all over!"). But most of all, Fourteen is an age of reason and searching. "Albert Schweitzer relates how in his fourteenth year the joys of seeking for what was true and good came upon him 'like a kind of intoxication' ... As a philosopher he holds the 14-year-old youth in high regard, and pays him a compliment: 'If all of us could become what we were at fourteen, what a different place the world would be!' "
The Rebel. No such comment could be made about Fifteen. Fifteen is the eternal sophomore, both wise and foolish at once. He digs at his scalp, gouges pimples, toys maddeningly with the silverware at meals. His voice is often inaudible, and he seems | so frugal with his energies that parents and teachers come to the conclusion that he is lazy. He is secretive and hates anyone to intrude into his life too much. He has fantasies of violence and revenge. As much as at any time in his life, he needs patience and understanding.
He is at war with his home, often wishes he were at school in a far-off town.