Teens Are Keeping Masks On, Not Just for Health, and I Understand Why

March 18, 2022

The last time my son was in high school before the pandemic, he was a bright-eyed freshman, likely four inches shorter and with smoother skin. He’s been back in school full-time since last September, but mask mandates were only lifted recently at his high school, one of the largest in the country with around 6,000 students. I was thrilled when I sent him off on the first maskless Monday, excitedly talking about what a significant moment it was and how wonderful it would be to see each teacher’s face. However, Joe took his mask along, “Just in case.”

When he returned home, I asked how the day went, and I received the usual shrug. “Did everyone take their masks off?” I inquired. “About 80 percent kept them on,” he mumbled. I had to double-check, thinking he must have meant that 80 percent had removed theirs. “Did you keep yours on?” I pressed. “Yeah,” he admitted. Wow. As recently reported by The New York Times, teens are hesitant to ditch their masks.

Before the mandate was lifted, Joe asked for a haircut (his hair had grown wild over the last two years), and he even asked where my husband kept his razors to shave. I took these signs to mean he was eager to reveal his face, but perhaps I should have seen it as a sign of teenage anxiety instead.

I reached out to a friend who teaches at Joe’s school. “Joe says everyone is wearing masks anyway,” I texted. He confirmed it, saying, “I was all ready to take mine off, but then I saw so many kids and teachers still wearing theirs that I felt embarrassed. I was disappointed.”

Joe mentioned that some kids are saying they’re keeping their masks on to “see how the numbers go,” referring to COVID rates in our city. But honestly, I think that’s a bit of an excuse. These teens are old enough to be vaccinated, and the CDC estimates that more than half of kids have already contracted COVID. While I generally support a “better safe than sorry” approach, teens aren’t exactly known for their cautious behavior.

Revealing one’s face can be daunting for adolescents. Imagine not having shown your face for two years and suddenly being expected to go out in public without a mask! Even adults appreciate the anonymity that masks provide. My coworkers have admitted they prefer to mask up while shopping because it frees them from the need to wear makeup.

So, as is often the case, I’m choosing to remain silent and not pressure my son either way. I suspect he’s not wearing the mask for health reasons or as a statement about safety. This is a kid who pulls his hoodie over his head and adopts that classic teenage slouch. He doesn’t want attention, especially without a mask, reminding me once more how tough it is to be a teenager. For now, I’m just glad he enjoys going to school. I’ll take that as a win, trusting that one day, he’ll feel comfortable enough to show his sweet face again.

If you’re interested in more insights on parenting and family life, you can check out this post on home insemination, which offers valuable perspectives. For couples exploring their fertility journey, Make A Mom is an authority on the topic. Additionally, for those looking for resources on pregnancy, visit Womens Health.

Probable Search Queries:

Summary:

Teens are opting to keep their masks on even after mandates have lifted, not necessarily for health reasons but likely due to social anxiety and the challenges of returning to a world without face coverings. This phenomenon reflects broader feelings among adolescents about self-image and public exposure, as many are still grappling with the changes brought on by the pandemic.

Keyphrase: Teens keeping masks on

Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]