teenagerdom
High school years
Teenagerdom is the state or period of being a teenager—roughly ages thirteen to nineteen.
The word captures not just the age range but the whole experience: the social dynamics, emotional intensity, and cultural rituals of adolescence.
Looking back on my teenagerdom, I cringe at some of the choices I made.
The suffix -dom frames it as a realm or condition, like kingdom or boredom.
Sexual development stage
- high schoolUpper secondary institution
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
- identityWho someone is
- self-discoveryLearning one's true character
peer pressure · acne · awkwardness · hormones · braces · curfew · driver's license · first crush
Completing academic requirements formally
- college applicationsDocuments requesting university enrollment
- promHigh school formal dance
- senior yearLast year before graduation
- SATsCollege admission assessments
ACTs · first job · voting · independence · responsibility · rites of passage · leaving home · gap year
Persistent apprehensive distress
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- alienationState of being isolated
loneliness · confusion · turmoil · misunderstanding · frustration · sensitivity · restlessness · existential
Open resistance to authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- sneaking outDeparting covertly, undetected
- talking backRude reply to authority
- rule-breakingDisregarding established standards
nonconformity · attitude · door-slamming · skipping class · partying · experimentation · piercing · tattoo
puberty
Sexual development stage
- high schoolUpper secondary institution
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
- identityWho someone is
self-discovery · peer pressure · acne · awkwardness · hormones · braces · curfew · driver's license · first crush · cliques
graduation
Completing academic requirements formally
- college applicationsDocuments requesting university enrollment
- promHigh school formal dance
- senior yearLast year before graduation
SATs · ACTs · first job · voting · independence · responsibility · rites of passage · leaving home · gap year · internship
anxiety
Persistent apprehensive distress
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
alienation · loneliness · confusion · turmoil · misunderstanding · frustration · sensitivity · restlessness · existential · drama
defiance
Open resistance to authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- sneaking outDeparting covertly, undetected
- talking backRude reply to authority
rule-breaking · nonconformity · attitude · door-slamming · skipping class · partying · experimentation · piercing · tattoo · hair dye