Teenagers aged 13-15 years old can no longer celebrate Children's Day and some would say not even Youth Day. Recently, Beijing Working Committee on Women and Children commissioned a survey to the Horizon Group to investigate the psychological profile of the teenagers in over 1,500 families with 13-15 year-olds. Several days ago, the research report, written by Min Lefu, a family education expert from Beijing Academy of Education Sciences, was published. In the report, the teenage crisis has been revealed.

First, an increase in myopia suffering.

The survey shows that the physical situation of students in junior high schools is generally good, but that their eyesight is worrying: 51.4 percent of students surveyed had poor eyesight! The situation for 15 year-olds was more serious with eyesight getting progressively worse.

Second, personal distress often goes unheard.

For human relationships in the schoolyard, students of 14 year-old have the maximum number of confidants, but 15 year-olds, "have no intimate friend at all". As the youth face problems and sometimes depression, most chose to tell nobody, according to the survey.

Third, strained relationships with their parents.

Teenagers of 15 will face one of their most important examssenior high school entrance exam. Most parents put great pressure on their children. The entrance exam is the first challenge to be met by these children.

Fourth, desire for independence but depressed.

The increased desire to be a grown-up meets with the reality of still being a child, while the desire to be independent is confronted by parents' discipline and the child's need.

Teenagers of 15 are members of a high-risk group with a temporary unstable psychology. They are easily frustrated, and often have a desire to make incorrect decisions, such as discontinuing study, romantic Internet love, leaving home, and can become easily addicted to alcohol, with girls getting pregnant and some of the age group committing suicide.

The survey also identifies that 15 is a peak teen age for committing juvenile crime. The survey suggests that greater respect be given to the age group and to many of the difficulties faced by the young, developing adolescents.

(China.org.cn by Wang Zhiyong July 14, 2003)