What Do Teenagers Dislike?

Teenagers' dislikes are wide and varied. However, teens have some common dislikes that bridge gender, socioeconomic and geographic differences. Most teenagers struggle to find their identity, so they dislike almost anything that disrupts self-discovery. Teens might express their hatred of specific people, ideas or social norms, but much of their criticism stems from puberty and its attendant hormonal changes.

Not Fitting In

Teens don't like to feel out of place and often struggle with self-esteem issues when they don't fit in. Cliques are part of the teen subculture, so most strive to be included in a group. Teens might feel terrified if they are excluded and ignored by their peers, according to Empoweringparents.com 3. Teens want to be popular and have friends, so they dislike peer criticism, isolation and rejection. Even teens who enjoy solitude or have a strong self-esteem want to fit in to a group, so they can develop socially and discover who they are.

Parents

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Many teens dislike their parents, especially if their parents are overly authoritative or judgmental. Teens often view parents as authority figures who have all the control. They can punish their teenagers for misconduct, without their teens having much leverage. Teens might view parents as overbearing micromanagers or bossy caregivers who keep a tight leash. Parents can relieve some of the tension by allowing their teens to make age-appropriate decisions when possible.

Body Image

Many teens dislike their bodies. Skinny supermodel images in magazines, on TV and on the Internet are almost impossible to achieve when a teen practices healthy eating and exercise habits, says clinical psychologist Barbara Greenberg at PsychologyToday.com. However, teens still strive to meet unrealistic body expectations and feel badly about themselves when they don't measure up. Parents must avoid comparing their teens to other teenagers or media images -- peer pressure is already difficult enough to bear.

Inconsistencies

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Teens dislike inconsistencies, especially from adults who should know better. They might excuse peer shortcomings, but they expect adults to consistently make good decisions. Teenagers have little tolerance for adult hypocrisy. Parents who wait until the teen years to get involved in their kids' lives and stay off the map throughout childhood gain little respect and appreciation from their teenagers. Teens like parents, teachers, religious figures, coaches and community leaders who exhibit consistency in their family involvement, goals, values and morality.