A New Poll Shows Teens Push at Dangerous Pace to Be Perfect
Sept. 8, 2005 -- -- Teenagers Kaitlyn McKeon and Courtney Hexham are typical members of their generation -- both striving to be perfect.
For Hexham, 18, if you can't achieve perfection, why bother trying?
"The way I look at it, you have to put 110 percent into whatever you do, or what's the point in doing it?" said Hexham.
McKeon, 15, who's about to start her senior year in high school, worked hard to put herself on the fast track, so she could graduate in just three years instead of the typical four.
Despite being rewarding, McKeon admits that there are intense pressures that come along with achieving such success.
"There probably have been times that I've just been so overwhelmed by the stress," she said, "that you kind of want to just sit and cry or scream into a pillow for hours on end."
Like millions of others, Hexham is starting college this fall and on top of her part-time job, packing for school, family responsibilities, and trying to squeeze in time with her friends, she's also stressed about the little things, like her appearance.
"Sometimes I feel so pressured to look good," she said, "that I might try on two or three outfits before I leave for school."
It may seem insignificant to some, but for many teen girls, looks and social interaction account for one of the most stressful aspects of teen life.
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