The discomfort of teenagers who refuse to remove their mask tomorrow

the Monday, March 14, 2022, the daily lives of thousands of students will change. Indeed, the health protocol in force will become more flexible, and wearing a mask will no longer be compulsory in schools. If one might think, at first glance, that teenagers are all delighted with this news, The reality is different. Having grown up in this unreassuring, even anxiety-provoking health context, some remain very cautious and worried about the risk of contagion they incur, confined together in a classroom for sometimes several hours.

Moreover, in the middle of adolescence, the others are also concerned about their appearance, partially camouflaged for 2 years now. Their puberty-related complexes are then exacerbatedand the successive periods of isolation may have encouraged the introversion of a large part of these young people. Elena Goutard, parenting coachcomes back for aufeminin on this situation and entrusts us his analysis of the testimonies of 5 teenagers.

A reluctance of the most cautious, but also anxious adolescents

Whether they are college or high school students, and according to their characters, young people have not all experienced this pandemic in the same way, and they continue to experience it differently. For a certain category of teenagers, who respect the rules of hygiene scrupulously, in particular, the removal of the mask can seem quick and brutal.

Emma and Quentin, two high school students from the Paris suburbs, are among those who will keep their masks on Monday March 14, worried about catching or transmitting the ever-present virus. “I’m afraid of the remains of the covid because the classrooms are a risk zone”, tells us Emma, ​​16 years old. Quentin, a year younger, told us: “High school and classes are a transmission zone, it is better to remain cautious. That’s why I prefer to keep my mask on”.

“The most anxious may have reluctance and mistrust vis-à-vis the removal of the mask which happens quickly, radically and unexpectedly“, according to Elena Goutard. Depending on their temperament, they will need to be reassured, especially when it comes to the fact that this transition can be done at their own pace. Nothing forces them to remove the mask, and this prudent decision is even to be congratulated. Be sure, however, through discussion, to make sure that a deeper anxiety does not hide behind these precautions.

Exacerbated physical complexes

In general, the habit of wearing a mask may also have increased the modesty of young people vis-à-vis their physical complexes (acne pimples, braces, etc.), and create uneasiness at the idea of ​​“revealing” them in a group.

For Jonathan, 15, it goes without saying: “I want to keep my mask because it’s cool, it hides part of my face and therefore my acne pimples”. Emma, ​​meanwhile, admits preferring to keep her mask on to hide her face which she comes to refer to as “ugly”.

“Adolescence is a period of great vulnerability, questioning, questions about the group. They will wonder if they are beautiful enough, big enough, they are constantly comparing themselves. And somewhere this mask allowed them to hide, like behind a shield that allowed them to hide a part of themselves. Besides, when there were no masks, we already saw a lot of young people hiding behind their clothes like with hoods. Sometimes they dye their hair to hide their “true identity” behind something that is fake.”, remarks the parental coach.

For the teens of 2022, the mask has come fill this need to “protect oneself”it is a tool that other generations did not have and which allowed them ease their physical insecurities. Acne pimples or dental braces are normal at this time, but can be bothersome and painful for some young people.

“I have braces that I have been wearing for a few months. Most people in my class haven’t seen it yet and that’s fine. I would like to continue to hide it behind my mask.”, told us Juliette, 14 years old.

In the midst of development, young people learn to live with their physique in a progressive way, and to accept their puberty. “Children who have experienced these changes behind the mask find it difficult today to reveal all these imperfections that they see in themselves. They may think that their classmates have never seen them as they really are. They are afraid that the shock will be too big if they ever show themselves as they are today because usually the physical changes are gradual and there they should reveal themselves radically”, specifies our specialist. For this reason, it is important to dwell with them on this perception of their body, because the youngest are often too hard on themselves. It is essential that they are comfortable with their face, and that they accept their imperfections.

A pandemic that has fostered introverted behaviors

Furthermore, the confinements generalized and periods isolation successive ones have unfortunately encouraged the introversion of a large part of these young people. This is particularly the case of Clara, 15 years old: “I have a feeling of discomfort when I do not wear a mask in a group”.

Living for two years with this protection which has become an everyday “accessory”, teenagers today have to face the changes that are coming. hustle their usual reports in schools. “We’ve been living like this for two years and now everything will change. They did not see the face of their teachers, that of the others, it is this transition that can be scary. It’s necessary accompany the children, they must be allowed to go at their own pace. To get used to the idea mentally first, then take it out whenever they want. Do not rush them or neglect their feelings: stay tuned, keep chatting with your teendo not force them to remove the mask”, advises Elena Goutard to parents. And to conclude:We will hope that things will gradually return to normal. Young people absolutely have to start going out again, have real exchanges, not hidden behind their screens, nor behind their masks”.

Every day, Lina strives to transcribe with the greatest accuracy and relevance possible the news of families, and to inform them about their health and their rights. Curious and…