Inside the Mind of a Teenage Boy
Your Questions Answered

By Matthew, 16

There is no denying it: every teenager wonders what goes on inside the minds of their counterparts.

How many times have you been left confused and puzzled by something a boy did or said? As the saying goes, boys will be boys—the hard part is figuring out why their behavior is so lopsided.

I have a lot of friends who are girls and they are constantly asking me questions about boys. I mean after all, I am a boy, so that must make me an expert. Right? Not really. As I've done for my female friends in the past and as I will do for you now, I'm merely giving you my opinion based on my experiences. My personal friendship with young adults of the opposite gender has helped me understand some of the burning questions below.

Question 1:

Why is a boy nice to you when you are alone, but treats you differently when his friends are around?

My Answer:

Sometimes a boy wants to show the girl he likes how cool he can be with a group of people. He wants to fit in with the crowd, not to gain popularity, but to impress his crush. Usually he ends up showing another side of himself that the girl will not like at all, but the only thought that crosses a boy's mind is making himself look good in front of the girl. Although it may seem otherwise, a boy's ego is not nearly as important as his feelings.

Question 2:

Why would a boy spend time with his friends instead of hanging out with his girlfriend? He should want to hang out with her.

My Answer:

It's not the intention of a boyfriend to upset his girlfriend by not hanging out with her. Like anything else, he needs to balance his time between his friends and you. Don't forget, you should do the same thing. When you're with your friends, you can totally let your guard down and have a relaxed, fun time.. You don't have to worry if you're doing or saying the right thing. And sometimes, a boy just wants to see a gross-out comedy with "the guys" and that's okay.

Question 3, 4, and 5:

Why do boys move on easily after the end of a relationship? How come after winning a girl's affection, a boy decides he does not want it anymore? Why are boys not affected when they hurt someone?

My Answer:

Perhaps the most awe-instilling aspect of the male gender is their ability to pass as emotionless. But don't be fooled. Try as hard as we might to appear rock-solid, there is no boy or man who lacks a soul. Boys are not the ruthless, heartless, selfish creatures they often make themselves look like. In my opinion, a teenage male's emotions are stronger than his counterpart's. I think the reason is because boys are afraid of their own feelings. It is never easy to move on after the rough end of a long relationship. Sometimes we don't know how good a relationship is until it leaves us. And sometimes, after winning a girl over, boys panic. Believe it or not, boys are scared of getting hurt too—just like you. So, when a boy hurts someone he loves, he usually hurts himself more.

It can still be said that boys will always be boys, but boys will always be true to their hearts.