Ditching school, general disrespect. These are only a handful of the many disobedient acts which today's American youth commit. Most adults may blame these unruly behaviors on plain immaturity, or plain stupidity. However, there are individuals who would attack these seemingly basic explanations, claiming that there are underlying psychological and physiological reasons for teenage rebellion. Erich Fromm, Stanley Millgram, Murray Edelman, John Stuart Mill, Abraham Maslou, and Lawrence Kohlberg were all sociologists who came to conclusions regarding freedom, authority and obedience in government and society, which can be used to explain the wild behavior of a teen.
For centuries mankind has fought for freedom against oppressive authority including absolutist monarchs and domineering church officials in order to gain freedom. Although modern youth might not have to face the wrath of a tyrannical king daily, there are other sources which teens view as comparatively oppressive, such as parents. But why do teenagers accept their parents as legitimate authority in their lives? .
Abraham Maslou would argue that parents gain their authority by creating an environment which meets the first three out of the six levels of his Hierarchy of Human Needs. The first level, physiological needs, is met by providing the teenager with shelter and food; the second level, safety needs, is met by providing the teenager with a sense of protection from the outside dangers of the world; the third level is met by giving the teenager a sense of love and belonging. By controlling what the child needs physically and part psychologically to stay alive, the parent gains control of the child.
Also, the argument could be made that the government's definition of the child-adult relationship establishes the authority. Until one is 18, they are considered a child and are placed fully under the care and supervision of their parents.