As children grow toward the teenage years, they begin to think in a different egocentric way. It is this new way of thinking that often causes problems in their relationships with parents. Thinking About Self Teens' Preoccupation With Self To young adolescents, the subject of greatest interest is themselves. Since young adolescents do not distinguish between what others may be thinking and what they are thinking themselves, they assume every other person is as concerned with their behavior and appearance as they are. Or when Jeff sees his parents looking his way, he is certain they are looking at him.
Parents often find teens' preoccupation with themselves rather annoying, selfish and unhealthy.
This preoccupation with the self is the result of the young teen's style of thinking. This style of thinking occurs in all teens and is not deliberate. Also, teens' concern with what others think is not entirely unjustified. Young teens are, in fact, very critical of one another and pay attention to details. Teens' Feelings of Uniqueness Young teens think everyone is interested in them and that they are very special.