The Oxford Dictionary definition of an inner child is, “a person’s supposed original or true self, especially when regarded as damaged or concealed by negative childhood experiences.”

Adultification Continues To Rob Teens Of Their Childhood

Adultification’s lasting effects follow teens into adulthood.

Koda Clay and Ella Quinney | January 6, 2026

Opinion

There are only 17 years to be a child. Unfortunately, some teenagers get those years cut short because they are forced to play the role of an adult. At school, these unrealistic expectations can mean holding students to a higher academic standard than their peers, meaning that when students actually need help, they don’t know how to get it. These impossible standards also explain excessively severe grading, or some cases of suspensions, detentions, or expulsions. It’s easy for adults to abuse their power over students by reading behavior as “disrespectful” or having an “attitude.” Students’ actions are often viewed through a lens of delinquency, instead of mistakes that young people sometimes make.

This concept is known as adultification. Adultification is when children are viewed as adults and are in turn forced to grow up before they are ready. Stereotypes often follow teenagers who have been adultified, and they can be seen as rough, aggressive, unkind, or too mature. This is especially true for black students at school, as it’s common for them to be seen as more mature and “adult-like” than their white peers. The concept of adultification is often rooted in racial bias and is continuously affecting how school systems see black students.

When it’s finally time for teenagers who have been adultified to start applying for college, it can be even more difficult for them in comparison to other students, because these children are expected to be able to go through the process on their own. This can lead to them being unprepared as they transition from teens to adults, because of the fact that they never got to truly experience childhood.

“Yes its made it a little harder it kind of scares me we’re not even there but being pushed to be there” Chozen Coleman (12).

Though solving this problem isn’t simple. It starts with the education system through policy change. Anti-bias training can be beneficial. Training that actively opposes racism and works to ensure that all students are treated equally and aren’t stereotyped. Therefore one day will come where adultification is no longer a problem.

Fighting for Childhood

With busy schedules and heavy workloads, teenagers are constantly trying to find ways to fight against adultification. Social media has played a major role in the push towards the crusade for childhood.

With Gen-Z feeling as though Covid-19 took away a part of their childhood, they have taken to social media—using the term “inner-child” to fight for their childhood to come back.

The “inner-child” movement’s main focus is on “healing your inner child.” This can mean something different for everyone. However, the main way teenagers are doing this is by going back to doing what they love.

“I have this little Kalimba, and I thought ‘I should paint this.’ So I did. I thought about how younger me would have loved it” Noelle Wise (12) said. “And, at the end of the day being care free and happy is what being a child is.”

With constant pressure from school, parents, and work, teenagers are finding simple and personal ways to fight against growing up too fast.

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About the Contributors

Koda Clay, Reporter

Koda Clay is a 16-year-old senior in their second year of publications. They are also social media manager of International club. Outside of school, Koda is a volunteer at the EDRC which is an eating disorder organization. In their free time they write screenplays, non-fiction, and poetry. After they graduate they’d like to move to Canada or a different state and further their education. They’d also like to write a few books and make several movies and TV shows.

Ella Quinney, Editor-in-Chief of The Ledger

Ella Quinney is a senior, this is her fourth year in Publications. Quinney is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Ledger magazine, along with a reporter for the website. She can’t wait to work alongside her staff to produce the magazine, and work on the website this year. Outside of Publications, she is Key Club’s editor and a member of DECA. Quinney bakes, reads, and hangs out with her friends in her free time. She is looking forward to a great last year, in and out of the classroom.

Loukya Vaka, Copy Editor of The Ledger

Loukya Vaka is a senior, and this is her fourth year in Publications. Vaka is Copy Editor of the “Ledger” magazine, and this is her second year in this position. Outside of Journalism, Vaka is the president of Key Club, president of HOSA, treasurer of Books2Brand, and treasurer of NHS. She is also a part of LeaderinMe, Model UN, Students Demand Action, and Spanish Club. Vaka enjoys playing the piano and the flute, reading, listening to music, and spending time with her loved ones. In the future, she plans to study medicine and become a family doctor. She is excited to put out some amazing “Ledger” issues and for this amazing new year.