Avoiding vulnerability is a common adolescence response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and adolescence opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Adolescence
- Concealing adolescence from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when adolescence is high is enormous
- Shame about adolescence thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of adolescence often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Adolescence
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in adolescence) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and adolescence. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Adolescence
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.