Teenage years are often difficult years. Part child, part adult, these youngsters find themselves making decisions that may affect the rest of their lives. High School itself is a microcosm of the entire world in one set of buildings. There is peer pressure to look right, take drugs, use alcohol, compete in sports, handle sex, show concern for world events and environmental concerns, while last but not least, learning the school curriculum.

Still another set of issues are home-centered, perhaps around religion, nutrition, chores, finances and the often inconsistent behavior of parents and siblings. It is a lot for a young person to assimilate and act on.

The Personality on Paper

I have found handwriting analysis a useful tool because it gives parents, teachers and the teenager a better idea of what is going on inside, and therefore makes it easier to take action. Handwriting is the way you express your personality on paper. Just as an EKG reflects the rhythm of the heart, handwriting reflects the rhythms of the brain, personality. Personality includes our thinking processes, imagination, emotional responsiveness, defense mechanisms, fears, how we achieve our goals, and what gets in the way of that achievement. Handwriting also refects our integrity, our interest in socializing and our vocational talents. Just as each snowflake is unique so is a person's handwriting. All traits are evaluated to create a whole picture.

Variety of Thinking Processes

Human beings are very complex, and yet most of us tend to think everyone should think and feel as we do. That is definitely not case. There are at least five thinking processes. Some people have one, some have two or three and some have all five. Then there are aspects such as fluidity, self-confidence levels and emotional depth that enhance or detract from the way we process information.

1. The cumulative thinker (rounded letters) draws conclusions upon which to act after carefully building facts in a logical step-by-step process. Such careful processing promotes accuracy.
   
2. The comprehensive thinker (needle pointed structures) has quick cognition - an instant grasp of ideas and situations.
   
3. The investigative thinker seeks to learn and find solutions. This is usually accompanied by analytical thinking (both found in inverted 'v' structures) which investigates within the realm of known, established knowledge.
   
4. The exploratory thinker goes beyond the known and into unknown regions (high rising inverted 'v' structures).
   
5. The cursory thinker who just wants to know the bottom line and not all the details.
   

Many of these thinking styles are used in combination with each other. If keen comprehensive thinking parents and teachers have a cumulative thinking child, you can imagine the potential frustrations and hurt on all sides. The parties may be equally intelligent, but simply expressing intelligence in different ways. The parents and teachers may feel the child is not quick enough and the child may feel stupid. In school it may be tempting to call on the quick students and leave the slower (but accurate and intelligent) child by the wayside. Self-esteem issues then arise; restlessness, sensitiveness to criticism, and worry can result.

All of these traits are seen in the handwriting. Worrying is shown in the vertical loop in mostly 'm' and 'n' formations, although it can be seen in other letters such as capital 'R's. This indicates a lack of realism, an indefinite dread or anxiety, or even anguish played upon by the imagination. It uses up a lot of energy.

Vocational traits are also reflected in the handwriting. Many people take whatever job they can find to make money, without taking into account what their talents are. In the past boys became doctors, construction workers, lawyers and managers. Girls became nurses, secretaries, sales clerks, and librarians. Today many more doors are open for both sexes, but it helps to know what your talents are at 18 rather than waiting to find out when you are 38+.

People are happiest when they are doing what they enjoy. They are more productive. If a person has a lot of physical energy, as shown in the lower loop of a 'p' or in the depth or slant, it will not be in anybody's best interest to put this person behind a desk for 8 hours a day. A physically active person needs diversity.

Round pegs are often forced into square holes. Some women would make excellent managers but are working as clerks and are then accused of being hard to work with. They would not be hard to work with if they were allowed to use their leadership skills.

Diffusing Anger

The more teenagers know about their talents, communication styles, protective mechanisms and options, the happier and more compassionate they become. Self-knowledge diffuses self-anger and helps to eliminate the abuse of others. Once the individual knows he or she is not stupid, or wrong, his talents and skills are no longer suppressed and can be put into action.

Teenage years are the perfect time for individuals to develop a philosophy of life. This philosophy allows the person to take information from past experiences and use it in present and future situaions. Coping skills are developed. Once a person acquires coping tools it is not necessary to turn to drugs or alcohol for escape. Imagination is an important foundation for the ability to cope.

Imagination will find creative expression in many forms of activities. Teachers and parents, by recognizing the need for the teen to express some independence in preparation for life after the age of 18, will understand and encourage the teenager to find his or her way of self-expression. Painting, writing, music, tai'chi' or tae-kwando can help develop self-esteem and future working and living skills.

Life would be more fun if we could react to our own personal expectations, and not be confused by what others want or think. Enthusiasm is one of the many traits shown in the t-crossings and energy level of writing.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all of your might. Put your whole soul into it, stamp it with your personality, be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your objective." He also said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." Go for the Gold.