I'm no Physician or Psychologist, but I do know that not only a person's body changes during puberty, but so does the mind. The way we think and the way we act changes. I can be from incidences, points of view, learning experiences and even just our own personalities developing.

[Before anyone asks, I took a LONG time looking through the descriptions of the subforums... and this is the only place that I could find that would make sense for this. PLEASE DON'T BAN ME! It's not meant to be an advice thread, but more of an extended researched question. And something to make people *who don't mind reading ALOT* think.]

Sometimes I've noticed people who have very skewed perceptions in life. Like those that would put making money before their own safety and health, and others that valued something more than their own life.
I've also taken a look, albeit a small one, at the way people's thinking change throughout their lifetimes. As people are different, so are their priorities in life, their hopes, dreams and methods of going about daily routines and activities.

In High school, I was introduced to a theorem on how basic human needs create impluses or motivations to find or do something, or simply reasons why people act and feel the way they do. Its also very interesting how teenagers are seemingly the most sporadic across this theorem, despite situations that would or should make two people act in the same manner in response. If any of you may have guessed, I'm talking about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
If you know this, skip it and go on.
For those of you who don't want to wait through a long, frustrating internet search, its easy to break this down. Maslow's Heirarchy is usually represented as a pyramid diagram, seperated into Five, Six even seven sections. *this is all depending on the diagram you find.*
The lower *and larger* section is the basic or Deficiency needs. The higher section are the Being Needs.

And so, starting from the bottom in the generalized titles we have:
Physiological Needs (Basic)
Safety Needs (Basic)
*Mental/Emotional Needs (Basic and debatedly split)*
Social Needs (Basic)
Esteem Needs (Being)
Self-Actualization (Being)
Self-Trancending (Being)


Physiological Needs
These are the needs of the body. To eat, to sleep, to breathe. The absolute BASICS any living thing requires to live.
Sometimes called: Physical Needs, Bodily Needs

Safety Needs
Security and peace of mind fit in here. Knowing that a person is safe, in their own home, to keep their job, etc.
Sometimes called: Security Needs

Social Needs
Belonging, acceptance, relationships on an emotional level. Friendship, Family, Kinship. Whatever describes belonging to a group, and a societal acceptance.
Sometimes called: Interdependence needs

Esteem Needs
Where Social needs are others accepting you, Esteem Needs refers to Accepting oneself. This is pretty much where Self-esteem comes from. The recognition you give yourself for your worthiness and livelihood. Self-esteem is naturally part of literally being.
Sometimes called: Independence needs

Self Actualization
This one's hard to describe, but I like to explain it as Becoming Yourself. *that IS what the title infers after all...* This is realizing your goals and dreams, striving to be you and the best you erhm... you can be!
This also describes a person being more-so free of others' ideas. Not that a self-actualized person denies, but accepts that the other has their own feelings, ideas and motivations, while building and ever perfecting their own morals and values through the continual cycle of fulfilling the other needs presented by the Heirarchy.
A self Actualized person is accepted, accepts themselves and accepts others for who they are, in more than just a basic humanity.

Self Trancendence
This is reaching out. Going beyond your needs and helping another with their own. This wasn't explained so well to me either, so I'll just leave it at that.
Sometimes called: Spiritual Needs

Each one, as they are titled, are needs of a human being. Even the words Human Being denote that we are a whole of multiple levels.

The theorem (in my words and kinda short):
Starting with the most basic level of needs, a sentient being rises through the levels of needs, experiencing and passing through the challenges presented to obtain all that is needed by said being. It is never a straight line towards the top. If someone has being needs, but not basic needs, they will through their own nature fulfill the basic needs as required, to return to the journey towards the higher levels of being.



Okay! So now that I've defined the terms... here's where I continue my rant.
Teenagers *and those who aren't but still continue through puberty* during their time in puberty seem to go through fulfilling their needs on a very sporadic basis. Whether you consult Maslow or not! The situations are always changing, especially during this time because of the number of biological developments they endure.

So why is it so hard for a person to develop a high or positive self esteem?
I mean, it would make sense, given the aforementioned heirarchy. But... this still throws me through a loop.
Given the example of High School.
Many students persue various goals throughout their high school path. Also facing the challenges of unprecidented peer pressure, they are also called by teachers, family and many others to achieve academic excellence. There are those who do, and those who don't. Where one whom succeeds, feels shame, another in the same situation with the exception of said success accepts and continues.

You see a myriad of the high school stereotypes when you pass through the halls, in essence persuing the same humanistic goals. *Take Comfort in that, man!*
But what is it that makes achieving a high/positive self-esteem and more so difficult?
*And also for those out there who are wondering*
How does one bring about change given the situation?
So many unseen problems, where does one find the solution...?


I've probably answered my own twisted questions by now and not realised it. But at worst it can make for an interesting discussion.

So just to clarify;
How does a teenager bring about positive change given their situation of biological change?
How does one achieve a High and positive Self-esteem during this time?