Adolescence represents an inner emotional upheaval, a struggle

"Adolescence represents an inner emotional upheaval, a struggle between the eternal human wish to cling to the past and the equally powerful wish to get on with the future." – Louise J. Kaplan.

In these profound words, Louise J. Kaplan captures the essence of adolescence as a time of intense emotional conflict. It is a period in life when individuals are caught between two powerful forces: the desire to hold onto the past and the urge to embrace the future. This inner emotional upheaval is not just a fleeting phase but a universal struggle that defines the adolescent experience. The past represents comfort, safety, and familiarity, while the future holds the promise of growth, independence, and self-discovery. The tension between these two forces can create a turmoil within, as the adolescent seeks to forge their identity while being pulled in different directions by their own desires and societal expectations.

The ancient Greeks were deeply aware of the transformative power of youth. Aristotle, in his writings on ethics, acknowledged the difficult transition from childhood to adulthood, noting the importance of developing virtue and self-control during this period. In his work, Nicomachean Ethics, he explores how individuals, especially in their youth, are torn between the impulses of their past upbringing and the drive to become their own person. Adolescence, for Aristotle, was a time when one had to balance the lessons of the past—imparted by parents, teachers, and society—with the desire to act independently and shape one’s own destiny. Kaplan’s words reflect this ancient understanding of adolescence as a battlefield between the security of the past and the promise of the future.

Consider the story of Alexander the Great, whose adolescence was marked by a complex relationship with his father, King Philip II of Macedon. Alexander admired his father but also longed to surpass him, to make his own mark on history. His journey from the comforts of royal life, guided by his father’s rule, to the challenges of military conquest, symbolized the struggle between loyalty to the past and the drive to shape his future. Alexander’s famous ambition was to conquer the world, but in his early years, he was torn between the traditions of his family and his own vision for the future. This tension is emblematic of the emotional upheaval Kaplan describes—an internal conflict that anyone in the throes of adolescence can understand, where the desire to honor the past sometimes competes with the desire to forge a new path.

The Renaissance period, too, was a time when youth grappled with this same struggle between tradition and innovation. Leonardo da Vinci, for example, was raised in a time when classical knowledge and traditional values dominated. However, his work, from his paintings to his inventions, represented a profound break from the past. Da Vinci’s desire to explore new ideas, to envision a future filled with endless possibilities, was a manifestation of the same tension that Kaplan describes. The Renaissance was a time when the young were driven to look ahead while still respecting the wisdom of the ancient world. Leonardo, like so many others, was shaped by the knowledge of the past but yearned to create a future that would reshape how humanity viewed art, science, and knowledge.

In our own lives, we see this struggle between the past and the future in the decisions young people face as they come of age. The teenagers of today, like those of ancient times, experience the pressure to both preserve what they have known—family traditions, cultural values—and the pressure to break free, to explore new paths and find their own identity. Much like Odysseus, whose journey was one of both returning home and forging new territories, adolescence is a time of exploration—both of the self and of the world around us. It is in this tumultuous phase that the seeds of wisdom and personal identity are sown, though they are often accompanied by confusion, doubt, and the longing to reconcile the past with the beckoning future.

The lesson here is one of balance—to recognize that the struggles of adolescence are not merely obstacles to be overcome, but are the crucible in which one’s character and identity are forged. Just as Socrates encouraged his followers to question and examine their lives, the journey of adolescence is about asking difficult questions and making choices that reflect both the lessons of the past and the aspirations of the future. Kaplan’s words are a reminder that this is a necessary conflict, a part of the human condition, one that drives us to discover who we truly are and what we are meant to contribute to the world.

In our own lives, especially as we transition through phases of change, we must embrace this tension between past and future, recognizing it as the fuel for our growth. Whether we are adolescents or adults, we must acknowledge that progress often comes from reconciling the wisdom of the past with the vision for the future. We must be willing to leave behind what no longer serves us, while still honoring the lessons that have brought us this far. The key is not to fight this struggle, but to embrace it, knowing that each choice we make today will shape the path we walk tomorrow.

Let us then, like the heroes and thinkers of old, face the tension between the past and the future with courage and wisdom, recognizing that this inner upheaval is not something to fear, but a rite of passage that leads to deeper understanding and personal mastery. Just as Alexander conquered both the external world and his inner conflict, we too can navigate the tumultuous journey from adolescence to adulthood, understanding that each step forward is a step toward self-realization.