We all know the perils of adolescence.
In the same way that these changelings are unable to decide whether they’re children or young adults, their bodies aren’t helping at all. Because, physiologically the flesh is just as confused. And it shows: the gangly limbs; huge feet; pimply faces. And worst of all, especially—and most overtly for boys—the cracking voice.
Little wonder adolescents are so taciturn. For myself, I had it pretty easy: my voice more or less changed during an extended bout of bronchitis, when my voice turned husky and stayed that way. But my friends speaking voices were here, there, up, down, anywhere and everywhere. It was embarrassing for them, particularly in front of girls. The issue of nascent sexuality must surely be a major contributor to the rise of gender segregation among middle school students.
In the same way that these changelings are unable to decide whether they’re children or young adults, their bodies aren’t helping at all. Because, physiologically the flesh is just as confused. And it shows: the gangly limbs; huge feet; pimply faces. And worst of all, especially—and most overtly for boys—the cracking voice.
Little wonder adolescents are so taciturn. For myself, I had it pretty easy: my voice more or less changed during an extended bout of bronchitis, when my voice turned husky and stayed that way. But my friends speaking voices were here, there, up, down, anywhere and everywhere. It was embarrassing for them, particularly in front of girls. The issue of nascent sexuality must surely be a major contributor to the rise of gender segregation among middle school students.
By and large boys prefer the company of boys because misery does indeed love company. The physical awkwardness is less noticeable if everyone in the room is equally lopsided.
It is fortunate that there are more than a few methods of helping boys (and to some extent girls) through the challenging process of vocal mutation. For, no boy’s voice changes the same way, in the same time frame, with the same cracks and holes, and the same psychic trauma. This overview of vocal philosophies is just that. Just as there is no best method for all boys, there is no best approach for any situation. Pick from there, take from here, find your own way to help these tender (and they are tender, even as they strive to disguise it) youths walk the line that leads them from boy to young adult.
It is fortunate that there are more than a few methods of helping boys (and to some extent girls) through the challenging process of vocal mutation. For, no boy’s voice changes the same way, in the same time frame, with the same cracks and holes, and the same psychic trauma. This overview of vocal philosophies is just that. Just as there is no best method for all boys, there is no best approach for any situation. Pick from there, take from here, find your own way to help these tender (and they are tender, even as they strive to disguise it) youths walk the line that leads them from boy to young adult.