The Reality of Being a Teenager in Córdoba, Argentina

By Azul, from Argentina

Many people think adolescence is a curse, a period full of problems. But being a teenager is actually beautiful. It is about feeling deeply, running full speed with no brakes, and learning who you are. From the outside, it may look like rebellion or recklessness, but adolescence is about taking risks, experiencing emotions fully, and discovering life.

Recently, I spoke with my classmates at Las Tapias in Córdoba, Argentina, about what it is like to grow up here. We shared our worries and what we are learning as adolescents. We talked about anxiety, stress, and depression, and how low self-esteem can make us feel bad about ourselves. We discussed the challenges of family and school conflicts. Trust is hard to give, even in friendships or romantic relationships.

We also discussed fear: fear of being judged, fear of abandonment, and fear of the future. Sometimes these fears bring overwhelming or scary thoughts. We also discussed social pressure and the difficulty of finding someone to confide in.

But we also learned about the power of boundaries, celebrating when we set them, and the importance of talking about our emotions, even when it is hard. We reflected on new experiences that make us stronger and more confident, even when obstacles appear.

We talked about health, drugs, alcohol, sexual rights, and other challenges in our environment. But the topics that touched us most were relationships, friendship, love, and how we feel about our own bodies and self-image. Learning to value ourselves is not always easy.

In the end, we realized that even though there are many difficult moments, we are slowly learning to take care of ourselves, to listen to each other, and to support each other. We want to share this so other girls who read this know they are not alone and that it is okay to talk about what we feel.