The Concept of Teenager

Did you know the term teenager has been in use for less than 100 years? 

"Teenage" -- the adjective -- appeared in WRITTEN English in a Canadian publication in 1921. Note that the phrase is enclosed in quotation marks, indicating the "coining" of the term. Most words are used ORALLY before they are written down.1

Yesterday I was reading a book set in 1854 for my daughter's book group.The main character has a brother, 14 years old, "who will soon be a man."2   How many of our sons are ready to be a man at age 14?  It was also common for girls to marry at age 17 in those days.  I know it was a different time, but humans have not changed that much in 150 years.
Merrilee Boyack, in The Parenting Breakthrough, says her goal is to raise children capable of moving out at age 18 and being successful adults.  She has a thorough plan for teaching this kind of independence.  One of the things that struck me was they stop giving allowance at age 12.
The February Ensign had three articles relevant to this discussion.  From a BYU-I devotional address by Kathleen H. Hughes, there is this scripture quote:

“And it came to pass that he had two sons. He gave unto the eldest the name of Nephi, and unto the youngest, the name of Lehi. And they began to grow up unto the Lord” (Helaman 3:21; emphasis added).

These boys not only grew to adulthood knowing, loving, and serving the Lord, but they stayed in that same path throughout their lives.

Are our young men, and young women, growing up unto the Lord?  Or are they growing up unto their peers?  Their video games?  Their celebrities?
Along the same lines is the article by Wendy Ulrich and Christine Packard, "That They May Grow Up in Thee".

As young singles come to understand that maturity and adulthood are marked by behavior and attitude rather than marital status, they will come to achieve a greater sense of satisfaction and purpose in their lives.

Finally, there was a glorious inset called Youth In the Old Testament, by Janet Thomas.  She pulls information from Bible dictionaries to answer this question:  What does the Old Testament tell us about what scriptural leaders accomplished as teenagers?
My favorite part is at the end.

When did the men and women of the Old Testament begin preparing for a lifetime of service to the Lord? From the scriptures we find that it was when they were young. When you are in your teens, you are old enough to learn about the Lord and do His will.

If you have not read these articles, I highly recommend them.  You can access them online at this link.
One thing I have learned when dealing with children is when you expect more from them, you get more!  I heard a talk by Glenn J. Kimber3 wherein he challenged our young men to read the Book of Mormon 30 times before their mission.  30 times!  Is that impossible?  No, certainly not.  Will it require a rearranging of priorities?  Possibly.  But imagine the eternal benefits that will come from this dedication and preparation as our children grow up unto the Lord.

1. Oxford New English Dictionary, 1921
2. Happy Birthday, Kirsten!  American Girls series
3. Expect More, Get More!  From LDS Eastern Home Educators Conference.  See his website for information.