Interviewing Hanaa

Interview with Hanaa (Age 16)

What does 'being a teenager' mean for you?

Having fun, think, free, imagine, live in fantasy, dream a lot, have friends, and learn life by experiences.

Are you enjoying your life as a teenager? Why?

Yes, because even I make a mistake, it doesn't become really big one, so I learn big things from little mistakes, and I can be free.

Is there anything that you get influenced more after you become a teenager?

I think friends influenced me the most...

How would you define your teenager life?

Having fun, being imaginative, learning :)

Is there anything that has changed after you became a teenager?

Many things have changed. I started to see things from other side that I have never seen before.

What should a teenager do in order to enjoy his/her life?

They should let their emotions be and try to find how to manage their emotions.

Do you often feel emotional changes? When and why?

I feel a lot of emotional changes. There is no reason when I become emotional or change my emotion suddenly.

Have you ever thought of trying bad things (ex. committing suicide, smoking, etc)? Why?

Yes, once. But I think it often happens to teenagers. Teenagers can be interested in those bad things, BUT they shouldn't go further than curiosity.

What is the most important thing in your life? why?

My future, because it is my rest of all my life. ^^

Adolescence is a time to be prepared to become an adult. Are you prepared enough?

NO! I think I still need more experiences

Any comments you would like to make about being a teenager?

Do everything you want to do during your teenager time!

Interviewing Suugii

Interview with Suugii (Age 17)

What does 'being a teenager' mean for you?

Being a teenager means that it is a chance for me to discover myself. As a child we don't know about the deep meaning of life, furthermore, the world inside us. So, being a teenager is hard, annoying etc, yet it is a journey that I enjoy.

Are you enjoying your life as a teenager? Why?

Well, I enjoy it most of the time; however, I feel upset and kind of depressed whenever I face a problem that it is hard for me to solve on my own. Besides those problems, I enjoy being a teenager because I get to experience many things and most importantly I am getting to know myself more :)

Is there anything that you get influenced more after you become a teenager?

Hmm, I think my environment. Since I moved to Germany, I had to face lots of problems such as communicating with the kids or dealing with new technologies, etc. I learned actually a lot when I came back to my home country. Of course I knew there were poverty, murdering and 'bad things' going on outside in the world. However, I saw those problems with my own eyes when I came back to Mongolia. So this might also have changed my goals, opinion, etc.

How would you define your teenager life?

Hmm, more like an ocean. It is mostly calm and very relaxing; however, when strong wind comes, it becomes very violent and disturbing ^^

Is there anything that has changed after you became a teenager?

Yes, a lot. Ok, as we all know our bodies change. We can skip tha part ^^. Hm, I am sure that a lot of things in my life have changed, such as my point of views on certain topics or my values, believes, my priorities, etc. For example, as a child I mostly thought of playing around and having fun with my friends. However, now I am thinking more about my future, such as my education, my life time goals, etc :)

What should a teenager do in order to enjoy his/her life?

A teenager should not be very serious or very playful when it comes to 'life'. S/he should enjoy doing what sh/he likes doing and most importantly have the balance between school, fmaily and personal life. If that person manages balancing out his/her life, then there won't be any other great depression on that person in his/her future life.

Do you often feel emotional changes? When and why?
Hm, I think it has to do with puberty where all those hormones are going crazy -_-. I personally think that I can control my emotions very well and that I only show them to those I truly trust. It is very strange: Whenever something very exciting happens I am very happy and hyper but after like an hour or so, I am very sad, because of only small things such as marks on my face or something like that.

Have you ever though of trying 'bad things' (ex. Committing suicide, smoking, etc)? Why?

Everyone is curious about the 'bad things' that the grounups talk about and strictly tell us not to even try them out. I once grabbed some real grasses from the back yard of my house and I rolled them inside a leaf, and then I set them on fire. I tried to smoke; however, it did not really work out, so I just got annoyed and left it. I never tried drinking and I am not going to because it is not just healthy for me. Some people have different opinions; however, I don't want to die in my mid 30's.

What is the most important thing in your life? Why?

My most important thing in my life is growing as a person. Of course family, friends and education is important; however, for me, I think that should grow and make a better person out of myself. I don't want to just be stuck there in life with those skills I already have. I want to try out new things and I want to learn. Enjoying life, learning from it, feeling happy... satisfactions. These are the things I am looking for.

Adolescence is a time to be prepared to become an adult. Are you prepared enough?

In my opinion, I am well prepared for the upcoming problems and responsibilities; however, I sometimes wish that I would stay as a child. A child doesn't have any problesm to deal with...

Any comments you would like to make about being a teenager?

A teenager is phase where we experience a lot of things. You might have done something wrong, disappointed your peers and families. However, the most important thing is that you learn the lesson and try not to repeat it again.

Interviewing Rebekah

Interview with Rebekah (Age 14)

What does ‘being a teenager’ mean for you?

Being a teenager for me means times when you are in your most emotional stage. I think it also means when you are mostly, likely to be interested in the people of your opposite gender. Being a teenager also means when you are in the stage of puberty and when you are the most sensitive.

Are you enjoying your life as a teenager? Why?

Yes, I guess so, let me re-phrase that I used to like it. Now, it’s getting to difficult for me to handle. I used to like my teenage life and the change and all those fun times but now, it’s just too much and it’s too stressful. It is stressful because of the pressure, homework, appearance, studies and etc…

Is there anything that you get influenced more after you become a teenager?

Well, yes after going through a period of time of being a teenager you learn many different and new things and you begin to understand and care about certain things you never even noticed before in you previous years.

How would you define your teenage life?

I would define my teenage life as dull but sometimes exciting….. Also maybe stressful… Also sometimes just sometimes lonely…

Is there anything that has changed after you became a teenager?

Yes, I guess so. When I used to be young, I would tell my parents I’m sorry for whatever I did and wrote letters but now… after turning 13 I rarely do it also I get mad and upset over little things and seem to upset my parents a lot.

What should a teenager do in order to enjoy his/her life?

They should live their lives at the fullest. Study and have fun studying either by oneself or with groups of people you enjoy being with and people who make you happy. Also have fun and actually have fun! A teenager should not be alone… In this time of period you should not be alone or feel too lonely because then later you might not be able to socialize with people and you don’t enjoy being with others. This might not be a good thing.

Do you often feel emotional changes? When and why?

Yes, I do feel emotional changes, like, for instance. I used to be happy a lot when I was young but now, I feel very gloomy and don’t like certain things. I feel the most emotional when I am alone or when I’m at school sometimes. When I used to be little I would be happy and hyper and all like that at school now I feel all bored at school keep feeling very dull.

Have you ever thought of trying bad things (ex. Committing suicide, smoking, etc)? Why?

Yes, I have I have thought doing all those bad things but not as bad as desiring sex or anything just things like smoking, drinking, clubbing and etc… I have thought about doing it because I see my other friends try it and I hear it from other people which makes me want to do it and try it. Things like committing suicide I may have thought about it but I didn’t go too deep, I would just think of which is the less painful and how and etc but it was usually just sometimes (Rarely though)

What is the most important thing in your life? Why?

The most important thing in my life are my friends and family. They are the most important because without them, their help, their guidance’s could be totally different. Without my parents I wouldn’t be even breathing right now and without my siblings I wouldn’t be as happy as if I never had them.

Adolescence is a time to be prepared to become an adult. Are you prepared enough?

No, NOT AT ALL. Well, maybe I am kind of excited for the whole baby and raising one and etc… but I am not ready for any of that what so ever… I think I still need more guidance and more preparation.

Any comments you would like to make about being a teenager?

Although it can get tough all you have to do is just hang in there I guess.

Interviewing Ji Won

Interview with Ji Won (Age 16)

What does ‘being a teenager’ mean for you?
It is the most important stage of your life, as I believe that the path of your life is decided at this stage.

Are you enjoying your life as a teenager? Why?
Yes. I get to be with my friends and my family more often, and I enjoy some changes in myself and in the environment around me.

Is there anything that you get influenced more after you become a teenager?
My friends and I get to have some likenesses, as I spend more time with them. In other words, my personality gets affected the most. For example, the way my friends and I talk is similar.

How would you define your teenage life?
My teenage life is full of changes and chaos. ;(

Is there anything that has changed after you became a teenager?
As I answered previously, my personality has changed ‘very’ much, and now I became less shy unlike past few years. Secondly, my point of view to the world has been broadened.

What should a teenager do in order to enjoy his/her life?
Enjoying is enjoying, just think positively besides making progress!

Do you often feel emotional changes? When and why?
I experience ‘severe’ emotional changes in my life when I have squabbles with my parents and in the moments I get to find out difficulties in the progresses of my academic performances.

Have you ever thought of trying bad things (ex. Committing suicide, smoking, etc)? Why?
Uh, frankly speaking, I have. (Not like smoking and drinking……) As I have excessive changes in emotions, when I am depressed I usually take situations seriously.

What is the most important thing in your life? Why?
(Values?) Success in future career, my family and friends

Adolescence is a time to be prepared to become an adult. Are you prepared enough?
I am not sure, because I think I act like a mature girl, on the other hand I think I didn’t learn much about this big, big world.

Any comments you would like to make about being a teenager?
Enjoy your life as a teenager, dream a big dream XD

Interviewing my mom

Interview with my mom (Young-wha Kang)

This is the note that I took while I was interviewing my mom. Since the interview was taken in Korean, I translated it into English below this note.
1. 옛날 청소년기에서 제일 중요했던 것은?
대학 입시 – 제일 중요하다
2.엄마의 청소년기에서 제일 중요했던 것은?
미술전공 – 학교 끝난 후 화실에서 입시 준비를 하였다.
방과 후에 공부만 하는 것이 아니라 미술을 같이 해야 했기 때문에 바쁘고 힘들었다
3. 옛날 청소년들과 지금 청소년들의 가장 큰 차이점은?
공부만 잘하면 성공할 수 있다고 사람들은 믿어왔다. 공부 이외에는 아무것도 하지 않아도 된다고 생각한다
현재: 여러 분야에서 자신이 좋아하는 것을 공부할 수 있는 사회의 분위기가 많이 바뀌었다
Ex) 음악, 운동 등의 필요성이 강조 – 학생들이 즐길 수 있다
공부 이외에도 다양한 것을 할 줄 아는 사람들을 필요로 하는 사회
4. 왜 옛날 청소년기와 지금의 청소년기에 차이점이 생겼다고 생각하는가?
정보 공유가 가능해졌다.. 정보를 얻어내는 방법이 정말 많이 변했다. 놀이문화의 변화가 너무 크게 변했다.. 특히 인터넷은 놀이 방식과 사고 방식을 많이 변하게 하였다.
청소년들이 조숙해지고, 순수함이 많이 없어진 것 같다.
책보다는 웹서핑… 고민하기 보다는 빠른 답을 찾길 원하고 찾아낸다. 즉흥적이다
5. 대학교 입시에 대한 청소년들의 스트레스는 어떠하였는가? 지금이 더 심해진 것 같나?
옛날이나 지금이나 입시에 대한 스트레스는 똑같다
옛날: 대학 가고싶은 사람만 가면 된다… 일자리를 얻는 것이 큰 문제가 되지는 않았다
요즘에는 더욱 심한 것 같다,
삶의 질에 대한 눈높이가 높아져서 학생들이 더더욱 높은 점수를 받는 것에 목숨을 걸고, 좋은 대학 – 좋은 회사 취직… 이를 만족시키지 못하는 경우 자살을 택하는 것
6. 엄마의 청소년기에서 대학 입시는 어땠는가?
당신께서 하고 싶어했던 것을 했기에, 힘들어도 보람찼다.
목표를 가지고 노력 해왓기 때문에 힘들어도 즐거웠다.
7. 옛날 부모와 지금 부모의 자식을 교육시키는 것에 차이가 있는가?
형제들이 많아서 부모님: 교육 보다는 생계에 더욱 신경을 쓴다
그래서 개인의 교육에는 많이 신경을 써주지 못했다
엄마: 전업주부, 엄마의 역할이 주업
요즘에는 자식의 수가 줄고, 교육에 신경을 쓸 기회가 높아지다보니 자연스럽게 자식에 대한 기대가 더욱 높아 지는 것 같다.
사교육이 늘어남
8. 옛날의 청소년기를 간단하게 표현하자면?
순수함과 열정을 가졌던 시대
- 사회의 부조리에 때묻지 않았으며 자신들의 꿈을 생각하면서 그 꿈을 키워 나가는 과정이었기 때문에, 이상향, 좋은 것, 긍정적인 것들을 생각하면서 노력했던 것 자체가 순수하다.
- 꿈을 위해서 모든 것을 투자하였기에 열정적인 시기이다.

What was the most important thing from a teenager's life in the past 30 years?
Mom: I would say preparing for going to college. Many students (teenagers) considered entering a good college as a very important goal in their lives.

What was the most importnat thing from your teenage life?
Mom: Preparing for going to art school... Since I was going to major at art, I thought art was the most important thing in my life. After school, I spent most of the days practice drawing. Also, I needed to consider getting good grades on my schools in order to go to a good art college. Preparing for the school was very important to me, but it was such a hard process to accomplish.

Do you think there are any differences between current teenagers and teenagers in the past?
Mom: Hmm... I think there are not any "big" changes between those two. However, I would say that there has been changes occurred in the society itself. What I remember is that, when I was a teenager, many people believed that they will succeed if they are good at studies. Since studying was the most important thing for them, nothing else was considered as a necessity. But now, I think the society has changed... People can study not only in academic ways... I mean, nowadays many middle/high schools think having P.E or music classes is important for student to develop their artistic abilities. This didn't happen.. no couldn't happen in my days, you know.

Can you be more specific why those differences have occurred? (related to Q3)
Mom: The main cause of this phenomenon probably is the improved method of getting information. After the invention of computer, teenagers can get information "very easily". Internet has changed the ways of how teenagers spend their free time. You know, on the internet, there are sometimes some biased, or inappropriate information for teenagers. I think it influenced them to be mature than before, and the way they think has changed as well. For example, when I was a teenager, I always needed to look into the books gathering some information. Now, internet is "the ocean of information." You can get the right sources by "click". I think this also caused some of current teenagers that they are not very good at being patient. They want things to go quick.


Do you think teenagers of past and present have the same amount of stress of going to college?
Mom: Of course teenagers in the past were under a lot of pressure of going to college.... I don't think there is a difference of the amount of stress. But I can see that students' point of views of college has changed. I mean, when I was a teenager, people thought that not every student needs to go to university. It was not a necessity.. only those who wanted to study in universities prepared. Now, you see, going to college is almost like an obligation for teenagers. They want to go to good colleges, so the competition became even harsher. When some of those students, in fact, "fail" to go to universities that they wanted to attend, end their lives committing suicide.

How did you feel when you were preparing to go to college?
Mom: It was hard, but it doesn't mean that I wanted to give up. Attending a good college was my final academic goal so I did my best. If I recall my teenage life as a senior, I would say "hard but joyful"

How were your parents like when you were a teenager? Are there any differences between the way how parents in the past and present educate their children?
Mom: You know that I have many siblings, so my parents were very busy taking care of four children. They considered feeding their children was more important than providing extra education for them. Therefore, I didn't have a chance to get any private tutoring. In my teenage life, the main role for dad was working outside, and moms were staying home and nurturing children.
Now, many moms work as well, so I think the amount of income of one family has increased, right? Also, there are not that many children in one familiy these days. Because of these facts, teenagers in these days can get extra education... I mean, they can be more educated than my generation. So I think parents in the present are more caring about their children's education.


How would you define adolescence in the past 30 years?
Mom: "Being pure and passionate" because I spent my everything to achieve my dream and to follow the ideal image of myself as a grown-up fashion designer. At that time I did not know much about the "dark sides" of the society, so I would say that I was somewhat pure.. you know ^^.