Originally posted by TheColdDragon
reply to post by LadySkadi
I'll raise your 1. with the fact that most women are not self empowered, either adults or teens. A good portion of them end up in co-dependent relationships wherein they define themselves by their boyfriend/husband rather than embrace independence and forge their own destinies.
Agree or disagree?
*this is going to go off-topic of the original thread*
For the sake of argument, let's define "young woman" as age 14-25, agreed?
I'm hesitant to draw generalities, but it is *my* experience that your statement has merit. However, I work w/teens and at-risk youth (family counseling and alternative education) and so the demographic I am routinely involved with is not necessarily representative of the "whole" ... Given this, I will say that I spend an inordinate amount of time working with girls on developing self-esteem and self-reliance so that they do not end up defining themselves by the acceptance of others (especially by boys/men) ... often, the girls I work with are missing their "father figure" and have a need to seek male attention/appreciation.
I find that the boys/young men I work with tend to display a different set of issues. Primarily, self-destructive behavior (fighting, drinking, drugs, etc.) or uncontrolled/explosive anger issues. In many cases (maybe most) if not linked to a diagnosed Mental Health issue, it can be linked to a traumatizing situation (divorce, neglect, abuse, etc.)
Having said all that, I think it clear that in many cases, teens do not grow up "knowing" how to be capable, self-assured, self-reliant adults, they need to be taught/shown by example. Sadly, many parents are either incapable and/or unwilling to do this.
Result: lost kids/teens/young adults subject to being taken advantage of.
*now, back on topic of original thread*
[edit on 1-10-2009 by LadySkadi]
That's the mentality of those on 'The View' and those that watch it. 
