We shouldn’t compare the problems of young people and adults
Instead of asking who, out of young people and adults, have more to deal with, we should be asking what the best way is for everyone to deal with their problems and stress
I am writing to express my opinions about the problems faced by adults and teenagers, and which group has to deal with the biggest challenges.
We all face different kinds of hurdles in daily life. Some teenagers have bad friends and do things they shouldn’t do. Then there are those who have trouble studying because their parents and teachers have high expectations of them. So they are stressed. Their parents push them to join extra tutorial classes, and they’re always busy.
Teenagers also have to go through puberty, and they may feel confused or frustrated during this period.
However, it’s not fair to say that teenagers have more problems to deal with than adults.
Adults have their own issues, most of which are caused by financial problems. They need to make money for themselves as well as their families. Children’s education, food, and housing are very expensive in Hong Kong.
To conclude, both adults and teenagers have to deal with many problems. It’s unfair to make comparisons. There’s no point arguing about who has the most problems. The important thing is to come up with ways to deal with those challenges.
Lee Ka-wing, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School
From the Editor
Thank you for your letter, Ka-wing. I agree that we shouldn’t try to draw comparisons between what an adult has to deal with, and what a teenager is stressed about. These are two very different stages of life, and the problems that have to be dealt with within these stages should not be seen as “not very important” or “not such a big deal” just because they seem to crop up during those specific periods in life.
What’s most important is that people get the help they need, whether that’s by talking to their friends or family, or seeking professional guidance.
While there are many people who can and do deal with challenges on their own (and are able to channel their stress into beautiful things like writing, or drawing), I think that a problem shared is a problem halved – basically, talking about a problem with someone else can make it seem less troubling, or not as big an issue as it was any more.
Sometimes all that’s needed is to have someone listen to you, and you will feel all the better for it – and that’s true for anyone, whether you’re 18, or 38.
Ginny Wong, Sub-editor