My son hasn’t revealed his full face at school for two years. It’s no surprise that he, along with many of his high school peers, chooses to keep wearing masks.
The last time my son stepped into high school before the pandemic, he was a fresh-faced freshman, probably four inches shorter and sporting a smoother complexion. He returned to school full-time last September, but mask mandates were only recently lifted at his high school, which has around 6,000 students. I was thrilled on the first maskless Monday, excitedly talking about how significant it was and how nice it would be to see each teacher’s face. However, Joe still brought his mask along, saying, “Just in case.”
When he returned home, I asked how the day went. He shrugged and said, “About 80 percent kept them on.” I double-checked, thinking he might have misspoken, but he confirmed it. “Did you keep yours on?” I asked. “Yeah,” he replied. I was shocked.
As reported recently by The New York Times, teens are hesitating to remove their masks. The weekend before the mandate was lifted, Joe asked for a haircut—his hair had grown wild during the pandemic—and wanted to know where my husband kept his razors so he could shave. I interpreted these actions as excitement to show his face, but perhaps it was more rooted in anxiety.
A friend of mine who teaches at Joe’s school confirmed the trend. “I was ready to go without my mask, but seeing so many kids and teachers still wearing theirs made me feel out of place. I felt disappointed.”
Joe mentioned that some kids are saying, “Let’s see how the numbers go,” referring to COVID rates in our city, but I find that a bit dubious. These teens are generally old enough to be vaccinated, and the CDC estimates that many have already had COVID. While I usually support a cautious approach, teens aren’t typically known for their safety-first mentality.
Revealing one’s face can be intimidating for teens. Imagine not having shown your face for two years and suddenly being expected to go public. Even adults appreciate the anonymity that a mask provides; many of my coworkers admit they prefer to mask up before heading to stores to avoid the need for makeup.
So, I’m opting to stay quiet and not pressure my son either way. I suspect he’s not wearing the mask for health reasons or as a safety statement. This is a kid who often pulls his hoodie over his head, embodying the classic teen hunch. He simply doesn’t want the spotlight on him, especially without a mask. It reminds me once more of how challenging it can be to be a teenager. As long as he enjoys going to school, I’ll consider that a win and trust that eventually, he’ll feel comfortable enough to show his sweet face again.
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In summary, teens like my son are choosing to keep their masks on, not just for health concerns but due to social anxiety and the comfort of familiarity. As they navigate this new phase of their lives, it’s essential to support them in their choices, trusting that they will eventually feel confident enough to show their faces once more.