Forget everything you know about teenagers.

Forget about the statistics, the lies,

the stories you always hear.

Forget about the suicide rates-

the kids who just can't go on.

Instead of staring and glaring at the "difficult" kids,

reach out to them.

Talk to them.

Hug them.

Love them.

Forget about the sex and abortions,

all the early pregnancies.

You may not even know their story.

Broken hearts and broken childhoods are no excuse,

but this may seem like their only escape.

For some, it's not even their fault-

rape is everywhere.

Forget about the partying,

the drugs and alcohol.

It may be every weekend,

but for many, not at all.

The drugs and drinking can't be stopped,

but you can help it out-

If only people loved them and cared,

then they wouldn't look to false comfort.

Forget about the dropouts,

the kids who don't graduate.

Maybe there's a problem at home…

or in their head.

Maybe they need a job and money

rather than a robe, cap and piece of paper.

Forget everything you know about teenagers

and maybe you'll find out

that not all of them are bad,

not all of them are hopeless,

not all of them are sluts and whores,

and not all of them are what you "know".