This is a self-study of adolescence using various literature on the subject, notably by Côté and Allahar (1994), Bensman and Rosenberg (1979), Lesko (2001), Muuss (1996), and Willis (1998), among others. Parents, school administration, employers and any other type of powerful figures in a teenagers life completely underestimate what adolescents are made of and what they are capable of. The need to constantly micro-manage and intervene creates this conflict between becoming a responsible adult and staying in a juvenile place. The mixed messages sent out by adults are one that not only confuses, but disrespects adolescents as a whole. As a teenager I felt there was always this cloud hanging over my head that the adults and authoritative figures in my life were constantly trying to manipulate and form me into something other than who I actually was. The need to turn teenagers into mini-adults while still going through the development process is something that creates this constant tension and resentment towards authority. In turn, this process of trying to create responsible, upstanding, elite citizens turns teenagers off to the idea of growing up fast and in a way that the adults in their lives want them to.