Is it normal to feel like this?

[burdett]

I'm fourteen. Before you dismiss me as another whining adolescent wondering if her body is normal, please read the rest of this.
I realize that I'm a child. I've known this since I was younger as well, but as I turned thirteen, I realized something. It seems as if a large majority of people deem children worthless. Lately, it's been hurting my self esteem, although I know it shouldn't, because I'll grow into an adult fairly soon. Whenever I read the context of the sentence that the word 'child' is in, it's often written in a rather demeaning way.
"She's just a child!"
"They can't know that, they're a child."
It's as if they doubt my intelligence. I lack experience, and sometimes maturity, and that is what makes me a child. However, that doesn't stop me from knowing about the given subject. I understand that teenage years are a state of development, but it's as if I always have to fight against the condescending stereotype that is given to me due to my age. People believe I can't handle a situation. An example is, recently, I went to a court date with my mother (it was a phone conference with my father, who she is divorced to.) It had to do with child support. Because I was a minor, the judge made me leave. Unless I don't know better, there are no legal obligations that require me to leave. I know this is to protect me, but should I really be protected? Is society coddling children too much? What will they do when they go out into the real world, shouldn't there be some real life practice and heartache?
Understand that I am not claiming to be an adult. This is just something that's been angering me lately. I believe that many of the problems that teenagers give the rest of the world are due to a lack of freedom and responsibility. In the past, people my age were given jobs. They had to look after the younger children in their family, and simply didn't have the time to go out and get wasted, or do drugs, or have sex. They behaved more as adults, because they were treated more like them.
Or perhaps, this is simply me believing I'm older and more mature than I am. That is what others seem to think, but now in court, they're trying teens as adults? The laws that are set are so contradictory, but that's just the way it is, I guess...
On another note, I usually get treated better than my peers by society, because I behave maturely for my age and, shallowly enough, I look much older. This is also why I've noticed that, once past the age of about ten or eleven (when a person begins to gain more self awareness) people interpret them worse than before. Then, as that individual ages, they gain respect again. Why is this?

So, how do you view children my age? In bad light? Naive and innocent? Trashy and dim witted? Wonderful and happy?

[nickson]

I don't think anyone is actually going to read that block of text.

[said99]

Wow block text :O, You should have put some spaces in-between lol.

Anyway I haven't really thought of that but laws are set to protect you. Also adults usually have a sense of superiority because they are older and try to teach wrong from right sometimes. Like for example someone your age probably think 10 year old or someone younger is naive/innocent.

Hmm but it is funny how kids are are desensitized from death and stuff from movies and things yet society treats them as naive and stuff.

Lol, umm TO SUM it up laws are set to protect you but I don't think worrying about it will get you anywhere its just our society today and you are 14 so in a year you could get a job so i don't think it'll effect you anymore :D~

[ashbey15]

you're right, people do view childrens opinions and lives as insignificant, when you're older you will also discover people hating on you for you're nationality, the way you speak, your likes and dislikes, the list goes on. The world is a hate filled place and you are one of the smartest people that I have ever came across on here. You realize the truth about peoples perceptions and idiologies, and that my friend will greatly help you in later life, as you can then have the sense to turn around and say "F*CK YOU, NOBODY IS GOING TO TALK DOWN TO ME, BECAUSE IF ANYTHING, I'M GOING TO BE THE ONE TALKING DOWN TO YOU!".

It is people like you who children and yes, even adults should be trying to be like, to be able to see the sense in showing each other the respect they deserve regardless of their age, or whatever else people may be b*tching about.

You have my respect.

[tredway]

I'm 16 and I know what you mean. I feel like I'm way beyond my years. I even hate telling people that I'm 16 because I don't want them looking down on me or thinking that I'm just a little teenager because in my head I'm not. I feel like sometimes adults look down on people my age and I don't like that at all because like I said, I feel like I am way beyond my years.