Self-image and Self-confidence seems like a big issue amongst teens and also sometimes progresses into adulthood. We are often subject to peer pressure in the world and people expect us to be tough, athletic, intelligent and everything else. Sometimes we wonder who we really are underneath the surface that we put on for the world to see. I think that the trouble of most people is finding their personal identity and where they fit in. Sometimes in this patriarchal world, I often find myself questioning where I stand. Who am I really? i know that i want to be a medical scientist. Ben Carson said in his book Thinking Big “People can take away your clothes, money, and all material things, but they can’t take away your knowledge. With knowledge you can work out ways to earn it all back.” i agree with this quote, but we all have doubts about ourselves and sometimes the critics will jeer at us and say we are being “geeks.” As a teen, I am often met with some people who criticize me b/c most teens think it is easier to be athletic than be a smart person. Yet, only 1 in 700 sports players make it to the playoffs and most of its luck. I am also health conscious and enjoy working out. When I meet people who look down on me b/c I work at a restaurant, i often feel a bit bitter. we shouldn’t look down on people based on their material goods, but based on their character. Often times when a guy says something sexist to me about me doing gymnastics such as saying “i’m showing off my body”, it makes me feel hurt. sometimes i question the power of my gender. sometimes i wonder if it would be easier being a male. my ap world history teacher who is also a psychology teacher says teens experience gender identity issues and usually start finding themselves at 24. it can be hard for a teen b/c they are still figuring out their impact in this world and they are often swayed by negative peer pressure. sometimes out in public, i shy away from people afraid they will judge me. i often hide myself with casual clothes b/c i don’t want attention. sometimes i wrestle with the doubts in my head “Am I really powerful as a female? Can I truly make it out in this world?” i often bury myself in my academic subjects often afraid to even approach the subject of physical relationships. i think teens and adults both often times have trouble figuring out how to navigate who they are under the way society judges them to be. as a teen, i feel i am pulled in several directions, should i be an athlete or should i pursue my passion as a scientist? I like tinybuddha b/c it gives me room to discuss my feelings of insecurity of gender and personal identity and it also has helped me lots.