![]() There are tough decisions to be made that involve a degree of judgment about what matters, and what doesn’t. In the early part of my career I spent considerable time doing psychological testing, analyzing data about learning differences, intelligence, and aptitude. I don’t disregard those details, although now I see other issues which figure more prominently in a person’s well-being. For example, I find it less important to understand relatively small differences in cognitive processing, relative to whether or not a young person has a sufficient understanding of him or herself. Does that person have any sense of where she or he belongs, and why? Self-knowledge is serious business. To know oneself is a bridge to authenticity, and in my view, authenticity is the key to living life as a whole, and fulfilled, person. Such concerns can seem abstract, or besides the point to some. But that sort of skepticism is deceptive; it’s just our mind playing tricks on us, insisting that we live in a state of perpetual anxiety about test scores, grades, and how a child measures up to others, rather than how well his life measures up to his own ideals. The great agrarian poet and essayist Wendell Berry has written that our destiny as a civilization “turns on affection.” By this he means that the fate of communities, our basic regard for one another, and our ability to be effective stewards of the world, is based upon our capacity for affection for one another and the earth itself. This is one of the greatest insights I know, and I carry it in my pocket daily. I believe that a corollary with respect to the specific needs of youth is that it all turns on authenticity. Quite frankly, there is no point in becoming a learned person about facts, history, or otherwise, unless one becomes equally learned about oneself. Who can lead while knowing nothing of him or herself? Who can follow or even fully love someone who has not acquired enough self-knowledge to be a whole human being? Of course education and self-knowledge are not separate pursuits. Young people want to learn about themselves as a function of becoming a learned person. It is the fusion of these learning trajectories that makes life interesting. In calling for a wisdom culture in On Purpose Before Twenty, I tried to make this point in some depth. Yet it is a difficult argument to make in the face of massive social anxiety about attaining enough success: good grades, university admission, money, etc. Those sorts of urgencies are not just distractions, they become directional markers. It’s not that they are unimportant, but the emotional energy invested in such worries draws us individually and collectively off course, toward concerns that are peripheral to the greatest sources of happiness and well-being in life. Writing on these issues, I must accept that readers will sometimes want more specific solutions than I am able to offer. But still I cling to a hope that my work will find a community of readers invested in the big picture. With regard to that hope, I am gratified that On Purpose Before Twenty has been selected by noted author and Center for Courage and Renewal founder Parker Palmer as one of the most “courageous books of 2014.” I am humbled that an author of Palmer’s renown and influence has even read my book. It is peculiar to me that we live in a time where our predilection for analysis and science compels us to consider the value of authenticity through a pragmatic lens. We want to know whether an authentic life is helpful or not. That’s precisely what Julie Beck has asked in her article Faking It, which appeared in the December, 2014 issue of The Atlantic. Beck is interested in whether or not acting like yourself, essentially being authentic, is personally beneficial. To that end she elected to review seven studies on authenticity, and how it affected different dimensions of relationship and well-being. Generally, Beck’s findings appear to be consistent with what we might suspect. For example, she notes that “people who believe they’re behaving authentically are less distressed and have higher self-esteem.” This certainly makes sense to me. My work with young people suggests that when they find their own voice, and are able to more fluently express themselves, they exude a higher level of confidence. They feel more positive anticipation in communicating with others. Beck goes on to note that females appear to have the edge in being authentic in some contexts. Specifically, females report greater feelings of personal authenticity in romantic relationships than do men, and “as teens are more likely than boys to say that they can be themselves with their best friends.” This may be an unfortunate situation for boys, but is again consistent with my own observation of differences between girls and boys. Like others, I see a whole lot more bravado among boys, and a whole lot more jostling for position and power than I generally do among girls. As a counterpoint, Beck points out that “teen boys report feeling more authentic with their dads than teen girls do.” She doesn’t indicate whether teen girls feel more authentic with their moms than teen boys do, but I’d be interested to know whether there is a comparative study on that issue. In summary, it seems safe to say that human beings do better when they feel and express higher levels of authenticity. Knowing oneself is a buffer against depression, lower self-esteem, and social alienation. Beyond preventing bad things from happening, authenticity also promotes confidence, and greater satisfaction with oneself. I believe most of us either intuitively know these things or can quickly agree with these assertions. And if that is so then why shouldn’t we be as eager to pursue constructive next steps? I’ve written at some length about the importance of creating school-based activities that promote student authenticity. I am especially supportive of forums for the discussion of personal ideas and perspectives, facilitated by leaders who understand the relevance of individual differences and commonalities to young people. I believe these types of interactions are as important as any other topic a young person might pursue. I trust they will be one of the most memorable and influential parts of school. However, this is not an easy task for schools given the demands of scheduling and rival priorities. Accordingly, I have become more interested in trying to organize such interactions as a component of my clinical practice. To the greatest extent possible, I work to make authenticity a cornerstone of individual psychotherapy. I find that such conversations are surprising to kids, because most believe they are being sent to therapy to deal with a “problem,” rather than acquire self-knowledge. I believe the majority come to therapy expecting to be harangued It’s these encounters that make psychotherapy a transformative and valuable experience. Whatever else a therapist might need to address – and I recognize there are other important issues – it all turns on authenticity. Whatever else will be accomplished must be connected to the emergence of an authentic self. For example, you can’t have a useful discussion about bringing a math grade up until the relevance of math, and the significance of a math grade has been effectively examined. Until then, it’s no more than a so-called “goal.” Let me be clear, goals have no punch if their personal relevance has not been explored. This need not be a touchy, feely discussion revolving around emotional vagaries. But something needs to come from the heart, and until there is some emotional energy flowing from a young person, a therapist might as well be talking to him or herself. Making authenticity the focal point of therapy is to ensure that both people are fully in the room. The reason that conversations addressing authenticity are so intense and exciting is because they feel like the sort of encounter we are always searching for, but rarely have. It’s what human beings really want – despite what TV and other forms of chatter tell us. Working with young people has taught me that as powerful as words are, images also play an evocative and dynamic role. Along those lines, it is my plan to begin facilitating experiential photography workshops for adolescents this summer. My first college degree was in photography, and I have never lost a passion for the power of photography to capture one’s personal vision. It is my hope to use photography as a means of exploring key adolescent themes, and as a starting point for group conversations. The sophistication of young people promises to make this type of group work productive, creative, and powerful! This is a new venture for me and it feels like something I need to do. It feels as though this endeavor is an expression of my own inclination to connect through creativity and art. Do you agree with me that the next generation seems more intent on an authentic life? I certainly believe so. Whether it is because they have grown up in a world saturated with artifice, or because packaged careers have all but disappeared, I see the next generation as more intent on living a life congruent with their core values. (Applause). They are relentlessly critiqued for being self-absorbed, and it is true that an infinity of selfies appears to confirm their fascination with their own self-image. But I think this is the beginning rather than the end of a conversation about the next generation. I’m not sure whether the next generation sees something more, or is simply searching for something more. I just know that their fascination with images, and with trying to capture their experience through photographs, is encouraging. Now two decades into the work of psychology, I feel more interested than ever in knowing who’s looking back at me. I’ve never felt more excited about getting to work each day. I’ve never felt as though words had more consequence, and that authentic interaction could be the centerpiece of a life well lived. More ideas on youth: If you find value in this newsletter I would like to invite you to visit my blog ideasonyouth.com. I began the blog so I would have an opportunity to communicate more often, and about a wider range of topics. I have included posts on practical advice, and as is my passion, conversation about the purpose and direction of youth. So much is happening in our world with respect to kids, families, and schools. I hope you might take the time to communicate with me via my blog. It is a privilege to share these ideas, and I thank you very much for your time and attention! Parent Coaching The nature of my clinical approach is somewhat unique, and I find that parents in different parts of North America want to partner in helping their children and teens. To that end, I am able to do parent coaching via telephone, email, or Skype. In some cases, it works well when families can visit for an initial meeting, and then follow-up as noted above. (401) 816-5900. On Purpose Before Twenty is published by Four Corners Pressand can be purchased worldwide. “Fascinating and deeply moving.” Deborah Meier, MacArthur Award Recipient, NYU Steinhardt School Senior Scholar |
