Deep Thinking Questions for Teens

Who Am I?

• The question, "Who am I?" is a question even adults struggle with at times. The process of figuring out who you are begins during the teen years. During adolescence, most teens start to construct a cohesive sense of self. A cohesive sense of self is developed, in part, through introspection, reflecting on how others perceive us and contemplating our aims and traits, according to a 2009 article in "Scientific American." While the sense of self changes and develops over the course of life, teens who have a strong self-concept might be better equipped to tackle challenges and face obstacles as they get older.

What Should I Do With My Life?

• One of the goals of adolescence is to start to figure out your purpose in life. As adolescence progresses and high school draws to a close, many teens begin thinking about college, trade school or directly entering the work force. Teens usually begin the process of exploring career options through avenues like high school courses, extracurricular activities and outside interests. Figuring out a meaningful, purposeful course of action requires a lot of deep thought and contemplation. But some teens aren't ready to start thinking about this question, says Joan E. McLean, associate dean for academic advising at Ohio Wesleyan University, in an interview with "The New York Times." In such cases, McLean advises backing off and allowing them to work through the process when they're ready.

What Would I Do If I Had 30 Days To Live?

• Many teens have a sense that "it can't happen to them," according to the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. This might cause them to engage in reckless or dangerous behaviors, such as drinking and driving or unprotected sex. They might think that they won't get pregnant or get into a car accident. Asking teens what they would do if they had 30 days to live can help them start thinking about consequences and meaning. And thinking about this question can help teens realize the preciousness and value in everyone's life. It might help them live more consciously, develop a deeper appreciation of each moment and teach them to make the most of each day.

Is There A God?

• According to pastor and counselor Gary D. Chapman in his book, "The Five Love Languages of Teenagers: The Secret to Loving Teens Effectively," many teens start wrestling with questions about the material and non-material universe during adolescence, such as "Is there a God?" Both teens who are brought up in certain religious traditions and those who don't adhere to particular belief system are inevitably confronted with questions about God and the universe at some point. Many teens wonder about deeper questions, such as the point of life, the nature of existence or the beginnings of the universe. And as they develop their own ideas about the possible answers to some of these questions, they might start to break away from traditions taught by their religion or family and, in some cases, develop their own sense of meaning or spirituality.